ADK president arrested over bribery allegations

Reuters reported today that president and CEO of Japanese advertising company ADK, Shinichi Ueno, has been arrested over suspected bribery related to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Two former employees were also arrested by Tokyo prosecutors, the report added.

Prosecutors raided the agency’s headquarters over suspicions that the company paid a bribe of approximately 54 million yen (US$362,000) related to the Olympics, according to Japanese news outlet Kyodo.

ADK Group corporate communications officer Yuri Hirao told Campaign Asia that the company apologises for any inconvenience or concern arising from these events. Hirao added ADK is "cooperating fully with the investigation and the relevant authorities to clarify the facts and will continue to do so" but is unable to comment further. 

Meanwhile, a former Tokyo Olympic executive, Haruyuki Takahashi, was served his fourth arrest warrant today for accepting bribes valued at tens of millions of yen from various companies including toy-maker Sun Arrow.

ADK is Japan's third-biggest advertising network following Dentsu and Hakuhodo. In the agency's 2021 Agency Report Card, Campaign reported that the agency has some 3,000 clients in its roster and is seeing significant growth in its non-Japanese businesses and ventures in markets including China, Vietnam, and Singapore.