It progressed to the arrest of the former director of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee and the former president of the tournament sponsor. Two weeks ago, I independently interviewed the former director who was in the midst of it. The former director described his own situation as “rather than needles now.” Former business partner “I have a sense that ordinary office workers don’t have” Takahashi’s former client man: “I think the fact that Mr. Takahashi was arrested by the prosecution was the most surprising thing. I think (the prosecutors) are ready to open a Pandora’s box,” he said, once working with Haruyuki Takahashi, 78, a former director of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee. I’m a man. Takahashi’s ex-client: “(Q. Does that mean that he was influential?) I think he has grown so big because he has a sense that ordinary office workers don’t have. Using business partners, using slush funds, and convincing people.If you think about it as a general office worker, isn’t that a story?But because he can do that, he is given a high position I don’t think there was anyone I could talk to about the Olympics or the World Cup.” In the world of sports business, he had strong connections both domestically and internationally, and he was a presence that no one could say anything about. Suspect Takahashi. However, on the 17th, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office’s Special Investigation Department arrested Takahashi, Hironori Aoki (83), former chairman of major men’s clothing company AOKI Holdings, which sponsored the tournament, and his younger brother, the former chairman. Vice chairman Takahisa Aoki (76) and former president of subsidiary Yuhisa Ueda (40). Takahashi is suspected of receiving 51 million yen from AOKI in exchange for favors in the selection of Olympic sponsors, and Aoki and other three are suspected of bribery by giving money. increase. ■Two weeks before the arrest…”I’m having a hard time with needle mats now.” Suspect Takahashi: “I can’t say anything because people around me are telling me not to talk about the incident. Right now, I’m having a hard time with needles. When I calm down, let’s talk about soccer.” Regarding the impending investigation, Takahashi described the situation as a “needle mat.” Takahashi’s ex-client: “(Q. Do you usually use this kind of expression?) I don’t think you’ll use the word needle rather. That’s because of the various changes that are happening to him for the first time. I think it’s the first word he’s ever said in .The person who was called a don in Dentsu’s sports department (after being arrested) will be called by number, not by name.In that sense, For the first time, I think I’m experiencing various fears.” Meeting with the former chairman of AOKI … introduced by a “Dentsu colleague” In June 2014, Takahashi, a former executive director of the major advertising company Dentsu, was appointed director of the tournament organizing committee. He was known as a leading figure in the sports business, such as being able to directly call Bach, President of the IOC (International Olympic Committee). Hironori Aoki, the former chairman of AOKI Holdings, had a relationship with Takahashi. Former chairman of AOKI Holdings, Hironori Aoki: “I will be involved in the historic official costume creation project, and I will work sincerely and seriously.” contract with. The following year, we signed a sponsorship deal with the Games Organizing Committee and sold officially licensed merchandise such as suits and jackets. In front of former chairman Hironori Aoki’s house in Tokyo, many reporters have gathered after receiving the news of his arrest. The curtains are closed in his house, so I can’t see what’s going on inside. According to neighbors, former chairman Aoki has not returned to his home for about four months. According to a man who once worked with Takahashi, Takahashi and Aoki met through a mutual acquaintance. Takahashi’s former business partner: “I heard that Mr. Takahashi had two fellow students (when he was at Dentsu) who were close to him, and one of them introduced him to Chairman Aoki.” “A safe place.” In 2017, before the tournament sponsor was decided, Takahashi is believed to have invited Aoki to dinner. Takahashi is said to have approached the store he runs. Takahashi: “The Organizing Committee is interested in other companies in the same industry.” After confiding to Aoki, he asked him to pay 750 million yen for the tournament sponsorship contract. Takahashi is believed to have used 100 million yen of this amount to repay the debt of the steak restaurant. I asked the restaurant if they had a dinner together five years ago. I was able to talk directly to the store staff, and it means that the high-end steak store will be closed at the end of this month. However, I was unable to answer when former director Takahashi visited this store. It is said that Takahashi has always had a tendency to talk about important things at his store. Takahashi’s former business partner: “I think it’s natural that you choose that place as a safe place.” You know, it’s my shop. You can’t talk to him unless it’s there. From his point of view, he doesn’t have any criminal awareness, and I think this is a matter of course.” Takahashi said after his arrest , In response to the investigation by the Special Investigation Department, he denied the charges, saying, “What I received was not a bribe.” On the other hand, Aoki said in a voluntary interview before his arrest, “He didn’t know that he shouldn’t offer money, and he feels like he was deceived by Mr. Takahashi.” ■Lawyer “If there is an impropriety, it must be corrected…” The Special Investigation Department put a knife into Takahashi, who was called the Don of the sports business. Masaru Wakasa, a former attorney at the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office’s Special Investigation Department, points out this aim. Attorney Wakasa: “The Tokyo Olympics is a big stage, and a lot of taxpayers’ money is being invested. ! Morning” from the August 18, 2022 broadcast)
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