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September 3, 1996
I am ashamed to tell of my story with Nobuko and Junko Nobuhira. However, in order to prevent anyone else from becoming a victim, I feel compelled to share the truth of the Nobuhiras.
I knew Nobuko as a leader, but she was distant. I met her for the first time in 1986. She unexpectedly called me, saying that she would like to visit.
At that time I was divorced and was making a living as an instructor of flower arrangement. Since my parents had died in childhood, I was living alone in Hakodate, in a new environment, away from home and close friends. Naturally, I was delighted with this unanticipated call. People probably cannot imagine how much I looked forward to the visit then. Nevertheless, the purpose of her visit was far from giving warm encouragement.
She had heard that I was financially well off and under the pretext of a home visitation (a leader visiting a member’s home to encourage and talk about faith in Buddhism) she came to pressure me into buying a Buddhist altar. No sooner had she greeted me than she strongly recommended that I buy a Buddhist altar. I told her that I didn't have extra money to spare. Obviously disappointed, she expressed her regret.
I was rather skeptical about her reaction, but I always trusted Soka Gakkai leaders. I explained that I didn't have money at that moment, but that I was planning to sell a house and land in Kamiiso (the land and house I had lived with my ex-husband).
Nobuko suggested that I ask her husband for his advice because he had lots of acquaintances and knew how to go about things. I honestly felt she was being thoughtful for a lonely divorcee. I trusted her and decided to ask for her assistance when I sold my house.
Because I felt somewhat indebted to her for this generous gesture, I said that I was willing to buy a 100,000 yen Buddhist altar, but that since it would be too big for where I was living at that time, I would consider buying one when I move to a larger place. Nobuko, however, insisted, “You may feel that way because your house is small, however, when you move in to a large one, you will be buying something appropriate to that size and style. You should buy a large one in order to move into a large house.” After all was said and done, I was talked into buying 100,000-yen altar at a shop Nobuko designated.
After some time, Nobuko's husband, Junko, called about selling the house. He said that with due consideration to the location, no one will be willing to purchase the property at such high price and suggested that I lower the selling price. He suggested a ridiculously cheap five million yen for what should be worth at least 10 million yen just for the land (more than 80-tsubo plot). This was unacceptable. I decided to find a buyer myself.
Later, I found someone who was willing to pay eight million yen and I reported to Junko. He offered to be present at the signing of the contract.
I was touched by his kindness and agreed to accept his offer.
On the day of the transaction, when I was there to receive the check, Junko intruded, took the check and put it into his pocket. I was dumbfounded, but on second thought, I told myself there must be a reason for this and didn’t say anything. Junko explained that he would cash it at the bank and that he would give us the money at his house. So my ex-husband and I went to the Nobuhiras’. When we arrived there, Junko slowly took out the eight million yen and recommended to invest it in the Hokkaido Electric Power Company where he worked. My former husband refused, saying that there should be no financial deals among Soka Gakkai members. But ultimately, he was talked into handing over one million yen. He received no documents in the name of the company and I instinctively felt that the Nobuhiras themselves wanted to borrow the money.
Moreover, Junko convinced my ex-husband that he should give me one million yen. Junko then asked me persistently to lend him some of the money, so I gave in and loaned him 800 thousand yen. Finally, on that day, October 8, 1986, Junko received one million yen from my ex-husband and 800 thousand yen from me. An IOU was signed with a monthly interest rate of 1.5%.
One month after they made the loan, Nobuko called me to come get the interest. After I received it from Junko, Nobuko asked me to come secretly to her house from the back. At that time, Junko's office was located in the front and the residence was behind it. So I went to see her and told Nobuko that I had received the interest. She said, “Fine. I have something to show you.” It was Nobuko's old clothes. They were all in different shades of red. Patterns against red background, solid red, shocking pink, etc., they were all gaudy. “They will look good on you. Try them on,” she said. I thought she was giving them to me as a favor, but they were not my taste. I told her I appreciate her consideration but that they are not for me. Nevertheless, she kept pushing, saying, “You look good in them but I can't give them away. You have to pay for them.” I couldn't believe my ears. Finally, I was charged 100,000 yen for three old-fashioned dresses. I contended and tried to convince her that I had no money, but it proved to be an abortive effort. She did not yield. She reasoned that I could pay her when I get reimbursed from her husband.
I was forced to buy her old clothes a number of times. In fact, most of the 800,000 yen I had lent her husband was offset by the money I “owed” her for her old clothes. Nobuko didn’t seem to want Junko to know about this. She also made sure that I did not talk about this. On one occasion, she hid a receipt she was about to write when she saw Junko approaching.
Nobuko used to tell Junko, “You should reimburse the money on time for Ms. Takaishi’s living seems tight.” But as soon as Junko repaid me, Nobuko would promptly take away the money from me under the pretext of payment for her old clothes.
In retrospect, Nobuko already had revealed her fallacious nature. She easily deceived anyone. In those days, however, I could not discern it. I trusted her because she was a Soka Gakkai leader. And that is why I had dealings with her again.
In January 1988, I took my friend to the Nobuhiras’ asking them to talk about Buddhism. Contrary to their promise however, the Nobuhiras mentioned not a word about Buddhism and instead asked to borrow money. My friend lent them one million yen that day, two million yen a few days later, and eventually five million in total within a month. At that time, I was asked by Junko to be a guarantor and was also persuaded to lend one million yen myself. It was the money I wanted to use for my relative who had terminal cancer; nevertheless, I was reluctantly talked into it. The Nobuhiras repeatedly assured me that they would return it immediately. Furthermore, Nobuko insisted, “What are you afraid of? Trust me. Don't worry. When worse comes to worse, my husband will do everything possible to pay back.” I inevitably agreed.
Months passed but no repayment. One day I confronted Nobuko. She threatened me, saying, “my husband is a terrifying man and anyone in Hakodate would tremble just hearing his name. So do as he says.”
By that time, I was able to perceive the evil nature of the Nobuhiras. When I demanded the five million yen that my friend had lent them, Junko became violent, even to the point of pushing me away. I was enraged. When I told Nobuko that I am a woman of strong will no matter how weak I may appear; she responded with a furious look on her face, telling me that she is far more dreadful than I.
In May 1992, after the Nobuhiras were dismissed from their leadership positions in the Soka Gakkai, I decided to sue Junko for the unpaid 600,000 yen. In court, Junko testified: “This woman divorced many times and changed addresses many times. Do you believe in a person like that?” Another time he said, “Ms. Takaishi, at one time, you were my dear woman (I liked you).” He was obviously trying to make me uneasy and disturbed.
In November 1992, the court ruled in my favor. It was a total victory.
Though Junko appealed in 1993, I won again. I was able to put his property under distraint and partially collect the loan. Junko later sued me for profiteering and swindling. The cases were all either rejected or lost.
The above illustrates my relationship with the Nobuhiras. Junko himself is evil-natured, and Nobuko’s ugly, evil nature is illustrated by how she took advantage of her organizational position to entrap and deceive members. More than a few people had their lives ruined by the Nobuhiras. I sincerely wish that the truth is made known to as many people as possible.
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