The corruption scandal surrounding the Tokyo Olympics has extended to the Games mascots. Suspicions surfaced that several million yen was handed over for the sale of “soft toys” of “Miraitowa” and “Someity”. Miraitowa and Someity are the official mascots of the Tokyo Olympics. Is the darkness surrounding Olympic money spreading to such a place? Haruyuki Takahashi (78), a former director of the tournament organizing committee, is suspected of receiving millions of yen for the organizing committee so that Sun Arrow can sell the tournament mascot. I found out by interviewing people. Sun Arrow has been selling tournament mascots since July 2018. Fans of Miraitowa and Someity: “I’m working as an otaku for Miraitowa and Someity. This is also Sun Arrow’s stuffed toy. It has a cute face and is well made, so the fans liked it. (Listening to the news) I cried on the train.In the midst of all sorts of bad issues about the Olympics, there was finally an issue directly related to the mascots.The mascots weren’t to blame.” I’m really angry. I want the ocean to come out and connect it to the future in a clean way.” The selection of the mascot for the tournament was based on an open call from the general public, and from the three finalists, about 16,000 schools, including elementary schools nationwide. It was decided by voting by class unit. Ryo Taniguchi, a character designer from Fukuoka Prefecture, was chosen in this way. Mr. Ryo Taniguchi, designer of the official mascot: “(Q. What about being chosen by the children?) I’m honestly happy.” Ryo Taniguchi, designer of the official mascot: “To be honest, I don’t really understand. I think people like us who make things in the end, and the staff of Sun Arrow are the same, but they are usually serious. I think I’m just working, so if I say perfect, it’s perfect.” Taniguchi says that he was not told about the details of the production of stuffed animals. Ryo Taniguchi, designer of the official mascot: “I don’t have any rights, so basically it belongs to the Organizing Committee. Miraitowa and Someity. No.” Sun Arrow is not only responsible for the mascots of the Tokyo Olympics, but also for many famous character stuffed animals. It is Haruyuki Takahashi who is suspected that Sun Arrow handed over millions of yen. It is said that he received a total of 120 million yen in bribes from executives of major men’s clothing company Aoki Holdings and major publishing company Kadokawa in connection with the selection of sponsors for the Tokyo Games. In addition, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor’s Office searched the homes of the major advertising company “Ohiro” and the parking lot service “Park 24”. According to officials, former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who was the chairman of the organizing committee of the Games, and Tsunekazu Takeda, former chairman of the Japanese Olympic Committee, were interviewed voluntarily as witnesses. And this time “Sun Arrow”. It wasn’t about selecting sponsors, it was about selling official merchandise. An expert interprets the series of movements of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office’s Special Investigation Department as follows. Osaka District Public Prosecutor’s Office, Lawyer Masaki Kamei: “First of all, I would like to confirm whether money is flowing to former Director Takahashi and his affiliated companies. I think they are investigating the companies that have been selected.Now, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office is increasing the number of prosecutors with the support of prosecutors from all over the country.Therefore, in order to expand the investigation system, there will be another round in October (a large I think I’ll do an investigation.”
[テレ朝ｎｅｗｓ] https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp
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