Fresh Arrest Warrants In Tokyo Games Bribery Case
Tokyo prosecutors have served a fresh arrest warrant to a former Tokyo Games organizing committee executive in connection with bribery.
Takahashi Haruyuki was served the warrant on Tuesday on suspicion of accepting 15 million yen, or about 104,000 dollars, in bribes from Daiko Advertising over three years through this February.
This is the third time that Takahashi has been arrested in the Tokyo Games bribery case.
A new warrant was also served to Fukami Kazumasa, an acquaintance of Takahashi who heads a consulting firm, for allegedly accepting bribes.
Also arrested was Taniguchi Yoshikazu, a corporate officer of Daiko, on suspicion of giving bribes.
Prosecutors say Takahashi was allegedly asked by Daiko for help concerning the Games' sponsorship contracts and accepted the money in return for his influence.
The organizing committee looked for the Games' sponsors through Japan's largest advertising company Dentsu, where Takahashi had previously worked as an officer. Sources say approval from the committee was required for other advertising firms to undertake parts of Dentsu's operations.
Takahashi was previously arrested in connection with the Tokyo Games bribery case involving business suit retailer Aoki Holdings and major publisher Kadokawa.
Prosecutors have not revealed whether the three have admitted to the allegations, but sources say Takahashi is denying any wrongdoing linked to the new arrest warrant.