A former board member of the Tokyo Olympic organising committee has been arrested on suspicion of corruption. Prosecutors suspect Haruyuki Takahashi of receiving bribes from a Japanese clothing company. Takahashi is a former employee of the Japanese advertising agency Dentsu, the exclusive marketing agency for the Olympic Games at the time.

According to Japanese media reports, Takahashi denied wrongdoing. He had stated that he had been paid for advice. Three employees of the clothing company were also arrested. The company was surprisingly awarded the contract to outfit the Japanese Olympic team at the time.

The Games, postponed by a year because of the Corona pandemic, were held in the Japanese capital last year.