The president of Kadokawa resigned after being accused of bribing JJ.OO. from tokyo

The president of the publisher Kadokawaone of the largest in Japan, resigned this Tuesday after being charged in the case of the alleged bribery network to a former director of the past Tokyo Olympics in exchange for sponsorship rights.

Tsuguhiko Kadokawa79, released a statement Tuesday through his legal team announcing his resignation.

“Recently, not only myself, but also two other employees of Kadokawa were arrested and prosecuted in connection with the scandal,” an incident that poses “a big test” for the publisher and which it considers it must face from another perspective, according to the text. published by public broadcaster NHK.

Kadokawa, who was arrested on September 14 in the case and denies the allegations, added: “I will do my best to clarify the truth and prove my innocence at trial.”

Kadokawa’s resignation announcement came hours after a Tokyo prosecutor’s office team investigating an alleged bribery network formally accused Kadokawa of paying 69 million yen (about 483,000 euros) for his company to be selected as a sponsor. . of sporting events.

The alleged recipient of the money and a central figure in the case is Haruyuki Takahashi (78), a former Tokyo 2020 organizing committee executive, who allegedly used a consulting company he owned and managed by an acquaintance to receive the payments.

In addition to Kadokawa, prosecutors charged a consultant and an employee of the publisher for their alleged involvement.

According to the indictments, these publisher members deposited money between September 2019 and January 2021 with the consultancy, which was run by a former colleague of Takahashi’s at Dentsu, Japan’s largest advertising agency, where he was a manager. and also cooperated. and was key to the organization of the Games.

Those involved in Kadokawa would have asked Takahashi to help the company become a sponsor of JJ.OO. and to limit your sponsorship fee.

The publisher was named an official sponsor in April 2019.

Kadokawa was founded in 1945 by Genyoshi Kadokawa, father of the current president. Since its founding, it has diversified its business, becoming an entertainment conglomerate ranging from literature, cinema, animation and video games.

In addition to Kadokawa, the suit’s chain store Aoki and advertising company Daiko Advertising, which would have paid 51 million yen (360,000 euros) and 15 million yen (105,000 euros), respectively, are being investigated for their links to alleged bribes. , for similar purposes.