On September 14 (September 2022), the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office arrested Tsuguhiko Kadokawa (79), chairman of major publishing company Kadokawa, on suspicion of bribery in connection with the corruption scandal surrounding the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. “Before his arrest, Kadokawa had strongly denied any knowledge of bribery,” said MC Shinichi Hatori at the beginning of the “Morning Show” program on the 15th.
He was arrested on suspicion of asking Haruyuki Takahashi, a former director of the organizing committee, to be selected as a sponsor of the tournament, and handed a bribe of about 69 million yen. Two former managing directors of KADOKAWA have already been arrested on the same charges.
In response to media coverage…
Kadokawa responded to interviews with media companies on the 5th of this month. When asked if he was aware of the bribes, he repeatedly replied, “No, not at all.” I was pissed off. Regarding the suspicion, he said, “It’s all unexpected and confusing,” “I don’t know at all, and I trust the employees.”
He admitted that he had met with Takahashi, and said, “I said hello to you saying, ‘I would like to ask for the rights related to publishing.'” In response to the question, he explained with gestures, “You’re caught up in premonition. He’s a director, so it’s not natural to ask a director.”
How did the Special Investigation Department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office view this press conference? Lawyer Masataka Kamei, a former Osaka District Public Prosecutor, said, “It’s unthinkable that a subordinate would bribe without informing the chairman. I think he thought that the chairman’s ‘I didn’t know’ press conference was a lie.” showed that.
Hatori: “Even though you denied it with such a strong tone at the press conference, you were also arrested.”
Toru Tamagawa (TV Asahi employee) “When I saw the footage of the press conference, I thought it was unnatural to deny bribery while saying ‘I don’t understand’ at the beginning. I’ve never done it before,’ and I felt it was excessive.”
Seo Dong-hui (Lawyer): “The important thing going forward is to prevent recurrence at similar events such as the Sapporo Olympics and World Expo.
(candy)