Legal woes continue to mount for former member of Tokyo 2020 board

Haruyuki Takahashi was arrested Wednesday in Japan, on suspicion of receiving bribes, according to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office.

Takahashi, a former member of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics board, is suspected of accepting bribes totaling millions of yen from Aoki Holdings.

The 78-year-old allegedly received about 45 million yen ($345,000) from Aoki Holdings Inc., an “official supporter” of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Aoki is a Japan-based retail chain company in the business of selling fashion products. Aoki announced in October 2018 they agreed with the Tokyo organizing committee to be an “official supporter,” and could use the logo for business purposes and to sell officially licensed products. The company sold over 30,000 suits with the Tokyo 2020 logo. They also provided athletes with gear for the Tokyo 2020 opening ceremonies.

The former chairman of Aoki Holdings, Hironori Aoki, and two other executives linked to the company were also arrested in connection with the case, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Earlier this summer, Takahashi had his home and the offices of Dentsu Group searched by police. He is a former executive of Dentsu, a leading advertising company in Japan.

A Dentsu spokesperson said the company is cooperating fully with the investigation, while Takahashi has denied any wrongdoing. He previously told investigators the money was used to settle debts and other payments, and there was nothing improper with the payments he received.

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