Tokyo prosecutors arrested top executives at publishing giant Kadokawa on Tuesday on suspicion of bribing former Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics organizing committee executive Haruyuki Takahashi in exchange for favorable treatment as an official sponsor.
Takahashi, who was indicted Tuesday for allegedly accepting bribes from apparel-maker Aoki Holdings in relation to the Olympics and Paralympics, was arrested the same day for taking bribes from Kadokawa as well, with prosecutors seeking to expand their investigation.
Kadokawa’s headquarters and the Tokyo home of Chairman Tsuguhiko Kadokawa were searched the same day. Two Kadokawa officials, including senior executive Toshiyuki Yoshihara, are suspected of having given ¥76 million to consulting firm Commons 2. That company is run by Kazumasa Fukami, an acquaintance of Takahashi, 78, who was a powerful figure on the organizing committee.