March 20, 2019

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

Japan Olympic Committee President Takeda Tsunekazu has announced that he will step down in June when his term of office expires. Takeda is under investigation by French judicial authorities regarding his alleged involvement in bribery concerning Tokyo’s bid to host the 2020 Summer Games. In the announcement, however, Takeda again showed reluctance to respond to the allegation, which will raise further public ire concerning the 2020 Olympic bid. If the situation remains unchanged, it will make the international community skeptical of the legitimacy of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. To just draw the curtain on the money scandal with Takeda’s resignation announcement is unacceptable. Takeda and other persons concerned should fulfill their responsibility to disclose the whole truth.

Takeda is suspected of having a part in a backdoor deal to win support from African members of the International Olympic Committee when Takeda was serving as the head of the Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee. During the period before and after September 2013 when Tokyo won the bid at an IOC general meeting, the Bid Committee transferred a total of 220 million yen to the account of a consulting firm in Singapore. It is alleged that this money was used to buy certain IOC members’ support for the Tokyo bid.

The IOC Code of Ethics requires Olympic parties to “act with the highest degree of integrity” and “not act in a manner likely to tarnish the reputation of the Olympic Movement”. Obviously, the bribery scandal and Takeda’s inept handling of the issue do not meet these requirements.

The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will start in less than 500 days. The money scandal, which can shake the foundation of the sports event, should not be left unsolved.

Past related articles:
> JCP Tokyo demands investigation into scandal involving JOC chief [January 16, 2019]
> JCP Hatano demands info on Olympic-related consulting services [May 20, 2016]