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Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee Chief Executive Haruyuki Takahashi and one of his closest business associates participated in bribes from an advertising company at the center of a widening corruption scandal over the Games’ sponsor selection, a source close to the matter said on Wednesday.
Takahashi and Kazumasa Fukami, former executives of Japan’s largest advertising agency Dentsu Inc., were suspected of using the consulting firms they now run to receive the money.
In the year International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (L) waves the Olympic flag during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2021. Paris will host the next Summer Games in 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
In the year 15 million yen ($103,000) from Daiko Advertising Inc. between January 2019 and February 2022. The two were issued new arrest warrants on Tuesday for allegedly receiving them. A chat school operator looking to sponsor the Winter Games.
Haruyuki Takahashi.
After Tokyo prosecutors reviewed deposit and withdrawal records, at least several million yen in bribes Daiko paid to Fukami’s company were transferred to Takahashi’s firm, the source said.
The two consulting firms, which share the “common” name, had close business ties, and some of the revenue collected by Fukami’s company was paid to Takahashi, the source said.
Fukami’s company, “Commons 2,” produced advertisements for clients promoted by Takahashi, who was the boss of Dentsu and had a wide network of contacts in sports and other business circles.
The bribery allegations add to a series of corruption charges against Takahashi.
The former senior managing director of Dentsu has been charged with accepting about 51 million yen in bribes from business suit retailer Aki Holdings Inc. and 76 million yen in bribes from major publisher Kadokawa Corp. for helping them secure game sponsorships. .
In the Kadokawa case, prosecutors also suspected Fukamine’s use of a consulting firm.
Takahashi and Fukami are suspected of directing Kadokawa to transfer 76 million yen to Fukami’s company when he was asked by Kadokawa’s executive and another employee of the publisher to select him as a sponsor for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
In the Daiko case, a Daiko corporate officer was told to send 15 million yen to a rival company after he asked for help in arranging for the advertising company to act as an agent for an English school operator.
Related Coverage:
Former Tokyo Olympics expert faces new charges in growing bribery scandal
Former JOC chief Takeda has been questioned over corruption in the Tokyo Olympics.
The chairman of Kadokawa was caught in the Tokyo Olympic bribery scandal
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