In connection with the alleged bid-rigging of contracts for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Japan's competition watchdog has filed criminal complaints against the advertising behemoth Dentsu and five other companies.
Additionally, the regulator lodged complaints against seven unidentified people.
The declaration comes after months of inquiries into alleged corruption in the organization and funding of Olympic and Paralympic events.
Dentsu is Japan's largest advertising agency and is based in Tokyo.
The Hakuhodo DY Holdings, Tokyo Agency, Fuji Creative Corporation, Cerespo, and Same Two advertising agencies were the targets of complaints, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC) announced on Tuesday.
Goh Okumura, an FTC investigator, said, "We determined that this is a malicious and serious case that will have a broad impact on people's lives.
BBC inquiries for comments received no immediate response from the businesses.
The Japanese industry, foreign, and education ministries have already barred Dentsu, Cerespo, and Fuji Creative from submitting bids for nine months.
Haruyuki Takahashi, a former executive at Dentsu and member of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics organizing committee, was detained last year on suspicion of accepting bribes from Olympic sponsors.
Mr. Takahashi was charged with receiving $380,000 (£315,600) in payments from Aoki Holdings, a well-known business suit retailer and official Tokyo 2020 partner. The claims have been refuted by Mr. Takahashi.
Aoki Holdings' former chairman and two other executives were reportedly detained in connection with the case, according to officials.
2013 saw Tokyo win the games over Madrid and Istanbul.
