In the trial of Haruyuki Takahashi, former director of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee, who is accused of receiving bribes totaling nearly 200 million yen from five companies in a corruption case involving sponsorship contracts for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the defense team said: He maintained that the bribery did not amount to bribery, stating that ``the directors of the organizing committee did not have the authority to collect sponsors.''
The defendant, Haruyuki Takahashi (79), a former director of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee, received approximately 198 million yen from five companies, including men's clothing giant AOKI Holdings and publishing giant KADOKAWA, over sponsorship contracts for the Games and screening of licensed products. He is charged with accepting bribes in exchange for accepting bribes of yen.
On the 31st, the defense's opening statement was held, pleading not guilty, and revealed the specific allegations for the first time.
The prosecution alleges that former director Takahashi accepted bribes as a director of the organizing committee, who is considered a public servant, but the defense claims that ``the board does not have voting rights regarding marketing, and that former director Takahashi received bribes, including soliciting sponsorship from former directors.'' "Their authority was not recognized."
He then stated, ``I approached Dentsu officials and others as part of my private-sector consulting work, and all the money I received from the alleged bribers was received as compensation for private-to-private transactions.'' argued that it did not amount to bribery.
In the future, witnesses will be interviewed from those involved in the case.