Takahashi, ex-Tokyo Olympic chief, arrested on bribery charges

A former Tokyo Olympic organizing committee executive, who had wielded huge influence in sports circles, was arrested by prosecutors Wednesday on suspicion of receiving bribes of about 51 million yen ($380,000) from major business suit retailer Aoki Holdings Inc.

In addition to Haruyuki Takahashi, 78, a former senior managing director of Japan’s largest advertising agency Dentsu Inc., the prosecutors arrested Hironori Aoki, a former chairman of the retailer, and two other people in connection with the case unfolding about a year after the Tokyo Olympics.

The special team of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office believes Takahashi took the bribes on more than 50 occasions between October 2017 and March this year in exchange for helping Aoki get preferential treatment in the process of selecting sponsors.

He allegedly did so after a company he headed reached a consulting deal with Aoki. Its Olympic sponsorship was announced about a year later.

Takahashi, whose home in Tokyo was searched late last month, was deemed a quasi-civil servant when he was serving as an executive of the now-defunct committee of the Olympics and Paralympics, which were held despite the coronavirus pandemic following a one-year postponement.

Many Dentsu employees were seconded to the organizing committee’s marketing division, which was in charge of selecting sponsors for the Tokyo Games.

The consulting firm headed by Takahashi signed the deal with Aoki worth 1 million yen per month in September 2017, people familiar with the matter said earlier.

Aoki announced in October 2018 that it had sealed an “official supporter” contract with the organizing committee, which allowed the retailer to use the games’ emblems for business purposes and sell licensed products.

The former chairman, who founded the retailer, retired in June, told the special investigative team, after agreeing to answer its questions, that he had “high hopes in Takahashi’s power” given his background.

Before his arrest, Takahashi had denied any wrongdoing.

Upon hearing news of his arrest, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said, “I feel very disappointed.”

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES