On May 31, 2024, we closely followed the first hearing of the trial of Erika Ikeda , better known as Nekokurage , creator of the manga 'Kusuriya no Hitorigoto' .
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As you know, Erika is the talented author behind the adaptation of the popular manga and novel “Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (The Apothecary Diaries)”. Unfortunately, she is facing serious charges for violating the Income Tax Law due to failure to file tax returns estimated at around 47 million yen, the equivalent of approximately 300 thousand US dollars.
During the hearing, Erika admitted the charges, explaining that she intended to resolve her tax obligations accumulated over several years. It's sad to see a situation like this, especially considering that she was aware of the need to file her tax returns since the beginning of her career as a mangaka, back in 2010. But unfortunately, the deadlines for her manga's submissions always seemed to be ahead. of their tax responsibilities.
Risks involved in the continuation of Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
Therefore the reports during the hearing highlighted that this was not an isolated incident. Erika had faced similar problems in the past, filing her tax returns years late. Witnesses, including her editor and even the original author of “Kusuriya no Hitorigoto,” expressed concerns about the risks involved in this behavior, suggesting it could affect the continuity of her series.
Although, despite the difficulties, there is hope in the end. Erika committed to regularizing her tax situation , paying the taxes owed in full, including late payment interest. Now, she can only hope that this situation does not negatively impact her brilliant career as a mangaka. Her contribution to the world of manga, especially with her version of “Kusuriya no Hitorigoto”, is immeasurable.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun
