We only gave input on agencies to JOC: Dentsu

Ad firm denies recommending Black Tidings, adds that it is not involved with French probe

Japanese Olympic Committee president Tsunekazu Takeda, who was charged this month, had told French authorities that Singapore consultancy Black Tidings had been recommended by Dentsu.
Japanese Olympic Committee president Tsunekazu Takeda, who was charged this month, had told French authorities that Singapore consultancy Black Tidings had been recommended by Dentsu. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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Japanese advertising giant Dentsu has distanced itself from claims that it recommended Singapore firm Black Tidings to the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), as French authorities continue their investigation into corruption allegations surrounding the bid for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

JOC head Tsunekazu Takeda was charged this month by French investigating magistrates probing two payments totalling US$2.3 million (S$3.13 million) made to Black Tidings before and after the Japanese capital was chosen to host the Olympics in September 2013.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 26, 2019, with the headline We only gave input on agencies to JOC: Dentsu. Subscribe