Photo/Illutration Prosecutors arrive at the home of Hironori Aoki, the former chairman of Aoki Holdings Inc., in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward on July 27. (Takashi Uematsu)

Tokyo prosecutors searched the home of the former chairman of Aoki Holdings Inc. on allegations he bribed a former Tokyo Olympics organizing committee board member with around 45 million yen ($330,000) to become an official event sponsor.

Investigators of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office raided the residence of Hironori Aoki, 83, in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward after 9 a.m. on July 27.

It comes just a day after prosecutors searched the home of former organizing committee board member Haruyuki Takahashi, 78, on suspicion of accepting bribes.

Aoki and Takahashi became acquaintances about 15 years ago through sports-related business activities, according to related sources.

Aoki founded the business wear company bearing his name in 1958, which grew successful through selling inexpensive off-the-rack suits.

He applied for his company to become an official sponsor of the Games after Takahashi suggested he do so, and the company was selected as an official supporter in 2018.

After receiving approval from the organizing committee, Aoki Holdings sold about 30,000 suits featuring the Olympic emblem as officially licensed products.

The company also produced uniforms for referees and other staff.

About a year before Aoki Holdings was approved as a sponsor, it signed a contract with a Tokyo-based consultancy firm headed by Takahashi. Aoki Holdings paid a monthly retainer of 1 million yen for roughly four years until the Games ended in August 2021, sources said.

Takahashi’s firm received about 45 million yen from Aoki Holdings, according to the sources.

Investigators said they believe the funds provided by Aoki Holdings to Takahashi were bribes provided in exchange for the company being selected as a sponsor of the Games.

Aoki told investigators on a voluntary basis that he gave money to Takahashi, who has a wide range of personal connections in the sports world. But he said it was on the hope that he would be introduced to Takahashi’s network of influential people, according to sources.

Aoki denied that the funds were bribes made in exchange for becoming a Games sponsor, sources said.

Prosecutors searched Takahashi’s home on July 26, along with the headquarters of the advertising agency Dentsu Inc., for which Takahashi previously served as a senior managing director.

Dentsu was appointed by the organizing committee as the agency to coordinate the applications from potential sponsors.

Board members of the Olympic committee are regarded as public servants and are not allowed to accept cash or gifts related to their duties under criminal law.

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