Former Tokyo Games Executive Indicted For Third Time On Bribery Charge
Tokyo prosecutors have charged a former director of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics organizing committee with bribery for the third time.
Takahashi Haruyuki was indicted along with his acquaintance, Fukami Kazumasa, former head of a Tokyo-based consulting firm, on charges of taking bribes.
Taniguchi Yoshikazu, an executive of the Osaka-based advertising agency Daiko, was also indicted on charge of offering bribes.
Prosecutors say Takahashi accepted a total of 15 million yen, or about 100,000 dollars, from Taniguchi over a three-year period through February this year in exchange for helping Daiko undertake the Games' sponsorship contracts.
Japan's largest advertising agency Dentsu had been in charge of recruiting sponsors for the Tokyo Games.
Sources say other ad agencies seeking to take on some sponsorship deals from Dentsu needed approval from the Games' organizing committee.
Prosecutors have not disclosed whether the three men have admitted to the charges. Sources say Takahashi is denying them.
Prosecutors appear to be investigating Takahashi as they continue their probe into allegations he received tens of thousands of dollars from a Tokyo-based production and sales company in connection with the contract of the Games' licensed mascots.