Haruyuki Takahashi, a former Tokyo Olympics organizing committee member, appeared in court on Wednesday and said he was not guilty of taking bribes connected to the Tokyo Games. (More Sports News)
A former executive with the powerful Japanese advertising company Dentsu, Takahashi is charged with accepting around 198 million yen (USD 1.4 million) in exchange for awarding Olympic contracts for the Tokyo Games held in 2021.
Wearing a grey suit and blue tie, Takahashi sat silently while one of his defence lawyers read from a document for about two hours before a panel of three judges at Tokyo District Court.
His lawyers argued that the money Takahashi received was not bribes but legitimate consulting income as a sports marketing expert.
The defence also argued the Tokyo organizing committee had no power to make marketing decisions on sponsors or licensing, which was the realm of Dentsu, the powerful Japanese advertising company that headed Tokyo Olympic marketing.
The defence acknowledged Takahashi held power with Dentsu, where he previously worked. It also acknowledged Takahashi had close relations with International Olympic Committee officials and others in the sports world.
The next trial date was set for February 22.
The indictment says Takahashi received bribes from business suit retailer Aoki Holdings, publisher Kadokawa and others. Sun Arrow, one of the companies implicated, produced the stuffed toy version of the Olympic mascot, Miraitowa, and the Paralympic version, Someity.
About a dozen people have already been convicted in related bribery cases, but all have received suspended sentences.
Though the Olympics are funded partly by private money, they also rely heavily on taxpayer funding. In the case of Tokyo, at least 50% was public money. Tokyo says it officially spent USD 13 billion on the Tokyo Games, but a government audit says it might be twice that much.
