Former ad agency head admits bribery linked to Tokyo Games

A former president of a Japanese advertising agency has admitted bribing a former executive of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics organizing committee.

ADK's former president Ueno Shinichi is accused of giving about 14 million yen, or more than 100,000 dollars, to Takahashi Haruyuki in connection with Games' sponsorship deals.

At the Tokyo District Court on Friday, prosecutors said Ueno paid a monthly consulting fee to Takahashi's company, and repeatedly asked for help in arranging for ADK to handle sponsorship deals.

The prosecutors also said ADK struggled to achieve its initial plan to sell sponsorship deals to at least five companies. They said Ueno asked Takahashi to introduce ADK to potential sponsors, and that Takahashi agreed to help.

Fifteen people, including Takahashi and top executives of five firms, have been indicted over the bribery scandal linked to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230217_17/