PCI hid income from aid project

A major construction consulting firm concealed some ¥25 million in income from a foreign-aid project over a three-year period through September 2003, sources said Wednesday.

Pacific Consultants International allocated fictitious expenses in conducting field work for the project ordered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the sources alleged.

When PCI declined to reveal the payment recipients, the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau ordered the Tokyo-based firm to pay more than ¥20 million in back taxes and penalties, the sources said.