AOKI side Additional sponsorship due to postponement of the Olympics Consultation with former director for reduction

Regarding the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics sponsorship contract, the former director of the organizing committee and the former chairman of the major men's clothing company "AOKI Holdings" were arrested in a bribery case. Interviews with related parties have newly revealed that there is a suspicion that the former director was consulted about whether the additional sponsorship payment requested by the association could be reduced.

The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's Special Investigation Department is believed to be investigating whether AOKI made various requests to the former director regarding the sponsorship contract.

According to those involved, the former director and former chairman have denied the allegations.

Haruyuki Takahashi (78), a former director of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee, received a total of 51 million yen in bribes from three people, including Hironori Aoki (83), former chairman of AOKI Holdings, regarding sponsorship contracts for the Games. He was arrested by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office on suspicion of accepting bribes.

In 2018, AOKI signed a contract with the Organizing Committee for a sponsorship of approximately 500 million yen, became a domestic sponsor, and sold officially licensed products.

However, the Tokyo Games were postponed for one year due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection in March 2020, and 68 domestic sponsors, including AOKI, were asked by the organizing committee to extend the contract period and pay additional sponsorship fees. that it was requested.

In response to this, it was newly learned from interviews with related parties that AOKI had consulted with former director Takahashi on whether the additional sponsorship fee could be reduced.

It is known that AOKI was suspected of handing the former director a document summarizing eight requests, such as sales promotion of officially licensed products, just before announcing the sponsorship contract in 2018.

The Special Investigation Department is believed to be investigating the fact that AOKI made various requests to the former director in connection with the sponsorship contract.

According to people involved, the former director and former chairman have denied the charges.