Former Tokyo Games Executive Indicted For 4th Time In Bribery Case

In the latest indictment, the prosecutors say he received 54 million yen, or about 370,000 dollars, from two firms in exchange for providing favorable treatment in business related to the Games.

He now faces charges of receiving bribes totaling about 198 million yen, or more than 1.3 million dollars.

Tokyo prosecutors also indicted without arrest Matsui Joji, an acquaintance of Takahashi, as an accomplice to the former Tokyo Games executive. Matsui formerly headed a consulting firm in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, those indicted for giving bribes are the former head of major advertising agency ADK Holdings, Ueno Shinichi, and two of his former subordinates. The three were arrested last month on suspicion of paying Takahashi a total of 47 million yen, or about 320,000 dollars.

Takahashi is suspected of having received the money in exchange for helping the company to be selected as a subcontractor to negotiate with sponsors.

The prosecutors also indicted without arrest Sekiguchi Yoshihiro, the former representative of Sun Arrow, and Sekiguchi Taiji, who currently heads the firm, for giving bribes to Takahashi. Sun Arrow manufactures and sells stuffed animals.

Takahashi is suspected of accepting 7 million yen, or nearly 50,000 dollars, in bribes from the company, which sold licensed merchandise related to the Games' official mascots.

Prosecutors believe that about 185,000 dollars of the bribe money from ADK and Sun Arrow may have been remitted to Matsui's consulting firm on Takahashi's instructions.

In relation to Games' sponsorship deals, Takahashi has already been indicted for bribery charges involving apparel maker Aoki Holdings, publishing house Kadokawa and advertising agency Daiko.

Sources close to the matter say Takahashi and Ueno are denying the charges they face.