The Japanese authorities, at the request of the French, questioned Mr. Takeda about those payments in 2017, but have taken no action since. It was unclear whether the Japanese committee would reopen is investigation in light of the French charges. Former prime minister Yoshiro Mori, who leads the Tokyo Olympics organizing committee, told the Fuji News Network that he was “simply shocked” by France’s move. The organizing committee was set up jointly by the Japanese Olympic Committee and the Tokyo metropolitan government, and Mr. Takeda serves as one of its vice presidents. Mr. Takeda is the second Olympic luminary to face serious legal action in recent months.

Source: New York Times January 11, 2019 12:56 UTC