Japan’s competition authority has filed criminal charges against advertising giant Dentsu and five other companies over alleged bid-fixing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The regulator also filed complaints against seven unnamed individuals.
The announcement follows months of investigations into alleged corruption in the planning and sponsorship of Olympic and Paralympic events.
Tokyo-based Dentsu is Japan’s largest advertising agency.
On Tuesday, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said it had also filed complaints against advertising agencies Hakuhodo DY Holdings, Tokyo Agency, Fuji Creative Corporation, Cerespo and Same Two.
“We have determined that this is a malicious and serious case that will have far-reaching implications for people’s lives,” said Goh Okumura, an FTC investigator.
The companies did not immediately respond to BBC requests for comment.
Dentsu, Cerespo and Fuji Creative have already been banned for nine months from applying for contracts with Japan’s industry, foreign and education ministries.
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Last year, Haruyuki Takahashi, a former member of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Organizing Committee and previously an executive at Dentsu, was arrested on suspicion of receiving bribes from Olympic sponsors.
Mr Takahashi has been accused of taking payments of $380,000 (£315,600) from Aoki Holdings, a high street business suit retailer, an official partner of the Tokyo 2020 games. Mr Takahashi has denied the allegations.
Officials also said that a former chairman and two other executives of Aoki Holdings have been arrested in connection with the case.
Tokyo won the 2013 games, beating Madrid and Istanbul.
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