Hakuhodo, Tokyu advertising agencies raided over suspicions of Tokyo Games bid-rigging

Investigators enter the building that houses Hakuhodo Inc. in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on Monday Morning. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

The headquarters of major advertising agencies Hakuhodo Inc. and Tokyu Agency Inc. were searched by members of the special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office and the Japan Fair Trade Commission on Monday morning.

The raids were made to investigate suspected violations of the Antimonopoly law, and took place amid growing suspicions that several companies engaged in bid-rigging for test events held ahead of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.