Japanese Olympic Committee head resigns amid bribery scandal

Tsunekazu Takeda, the president of the Japanese Olympic Committee, is resigning amid a bribery scandal that investigators suspect helped Tokyo land next year's Olympics.

Takeda announced Tuesday he will stand down when his term ends in June, but he denied corruption allegations against him.

Takeda is also a powerful International Olympic Committee member and the head of its marketing commission. He holds the IOC spot by virtue of the Japanese presidency.

International Olympics Committee member and head of the Japanese Olympic Committee Tsunekazu Takeda attends a JOC executive board meeting in Tokyo Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Takeda is resigning amid a bribery scandal that investigators suspect helped Tokyo land next year's Olympics. Takeda announced Tuesday he will stand down when his term ends in June, but he denied corruption allegations against him. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

He said it was his own decision, and in the interests of the future of the Japanese Olympic Committee.

"I would like to leave the future of the JOC to a younger generation to lead up to Tokyo 2020," he said. "At the end of my tenure in June, I am pulling out as JOC chairman and as a committee member."

His departure as head of the JOC will also end his terms at the International Olympic Committee and with the local organizing committee for the Tokyo Games.

International Olympics Committee member and head of the Japanese Olympic Committee Tsunekazu Takeda, left, prepares to attend a JOC executive board meeting in Tokyo Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Takeda is resigning amid a bribery scandal that investigators suspect helped Tokyo land next year's Olympics. Takeda announced Tuesday he will stand down when his term ends in June, but he denied corruption allegations against him. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

The scandal has cast a shadow over next year's Olympics and underlines flawed efforts by the IOC to clean up its bidding process. Japan is spending at least $20 billion to organize the games, which open July 24, 2020.

The organization of the last Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro was chaotic from start to finish and ended eventually with the arrest of organizing committee president — and Brazilian Olympic Committee president — Carlos Nuzman in a similar vote-buying scandal.

The favorite to replace Takeda is Yasuhiro Yamashita, a judo gold medalist in the 1984 Olympics.

International Olympics Committee member and head of the Japanese Olympic Committee Tsunekazu Takeda prepares to attend a JOC executive board meeting in Tokyo Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Takeda is resigning amid a bribery scandal that investigators suspect helped Tokyo land next year's Olympics. Takeda announced Tuesday he will stand down when his term ends in June, but he denied corruption allegations against him. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

Takeda has acknowledged he signed off on about $2 million in payments to a Singapore consulting company, Black Tidings, and its head Ian Tan Tong Han.

French investigators have linked Black Tidings to Papa Massata Diack, one of the sons of powerful ex-IOC member Lamine Diack of Senegal.

Lamine Diack had huge influence over Olympic voters in Africa. In 2013, IOC members voted for Tokyo, eliminating bids from Madrid and Istanbul.

International Olympics Committee member and head of the Japanese Olympic Committee Tsunekazu Takeda, center top, and other members attend a JOC executive board meeting in Tokyo Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Takeda is resigning amid a bribery scandal that investigators suspect helped Tokyo land next year's Olympics. Takeda announced Tuesday he will stand down when his term ends in June, but he denied corruption allegations against him. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

Takeda has said he was not involved in the decision-making process and had no reason to question what he termed a "regular commercial contact" approved by others at the JOC.

The scandal has also shined a light on the role on Dentsu, the giant Japanese advertising and marketing agency. Since getting the Olympics, Dentsu has helped Tokyo organizers line up a record $3 billion in local sponsorship.

Dentsu has acknowledged it advised the Japanese bid committee about bid consultants just before the IOC vote in 2013. Tan was among them.

In a 50-page report by the Japanese Olympic Committee investigating the bid, it said the committee — citing an evaluation from Dentsu — decided "that Tan was an extremely competent Asian consultant."

It is not clear if Dentsu is a target of French investigators.

IOC President Thomas Bach, speaking in December in Tokyo and standing alongside Takeda, described the games as "the best prepared" in history. They have overcome early problems that included a plagiarized logo design, and a redesign of a new national stadium because of soaring costs.

General cost overruns have continued to be an issue for Tokyo, which is now spending three times more than it said it would when it was selected. All venues are expected to be ready ahead on time. The new national stadium is to be completed by the end of the year.

Takeda, 71, is a distant member of Japan's royal family, the great grandson of the Meiji emperor who ruled late in 19th century and into the 20th. He competed in equestrian events in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics.

AP video journalist Kaori Hitomi contributed to this report.

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DRESDEN, Germany (AP) — Police in the German city of Dresden have opened more than a dozen investigations into offenses, including causing “dangerous bodily harm” after large-scale disorder involving fans at a soccer game.

Dozens of fans of Dynamo Dresden ran across the field toward supporters of Hertha Berlin during Saturday's second-division game before being chased back by police. Dresden fans then burned a Hertha fan flag.

The game was resumed after an interruption of nearly 20 minutes and Hertha won 1-0.

Police said in a statement late Saturday that they were investigating offenses including dangerous bodily harm, breach of the peace and property damage. Police did not immediately confirm any injuries or arrests.

Dynamo Dresden finance director Stephan Zimmermann offered an apology to “all uninvolved people who were caught up in these unnecessary acts” and said the club had met with police.

“Our home games are known for a unique atmosphere. Pictures like we saw this evening are not acceptable and cause massive damage not only to our club but to soccer as a whole in Germany,” Zimmermann said in a statement.

“We and many other clubs have spent recent months advocating for fans' interests and a safe stadium experience, and scenes like this are a heavy blow.”

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A steward removes burning pyrotechnics from the pitch during a stoppage in play in the Bundesliga 2 soccer match between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha BSC, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Dresden, Germany. (Sebastian Kahnert/dpa via AP)

Police officers stand in front of the K-Block section with Dresden fans during a stoppage in play in the Bundesliga 2 soccer match between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha BSC, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Dresden, Germany. (Sebastian Kahnert/dpa via AP)

Hertha BSC fans, left, and Dresden fans scuffle during a Bundesliga 2 soccer match between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha BSC, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Dresden, Germany. (Sebastian Kahnert/dpa via AP)

Hertha BSC fans, left, and Dresden fans scuffle during a Bundesliga 2 soccer match between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha BSC, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Dresden, Germany. (Sebastian Kahnert/dpa via AP)

Law enforcement personnel run onto the pitch during a stoppage in play in the Bundesliga 2 soccer match between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha BSC, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Dresden, Germany. (Sebastian Kahnert/dpa via AP)