Olympus has today stated that its internal probe has, so far, found no evidence that the ongoing financial scandal is linked to Japanese crime gangs.

Last week the New York Times reported that Japanese officials were investigating Olympus for possible links to the criminal underworld.

The paper claimed that the scandal involves funds totalling at least $4.9m.

Responding to subsequent media reports, Olympus Tokyo has posted a statement on its website.

It relates to the firm’s third-party panel inquiry into ‘acquisition funds and related matters’.

The Olympus statement reads: ‘Recently some international media, and some domestic media that have cited international media, have reported that such previous acquisition funds may have flowed to anti-social forces (organized crime syndicates), or that anti-social forces (organized crime syndicates) might have been involved in such acquisitions.

‘However, no such facts have been uncovered in the course of the committee’s investigation to date.’

RELATED ARTICLE

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: OLYMPUS WHISTLEBLOWER TALKS TO AP