Ex-Olympus CEO admits illegal drug purchases at Tokyo trial

Dec 24 (NHK) - The former head of Japanese precision equipment maker Olympus has admitted to purchasing illegal drugs on the first day of his trial in Tokyo.

Stefan Kaufmann was indicted on charges of violating Japan's special law on narcotics. He had been accused of acquiring what are believed to be cocaine and the synthetic drug MDMA multiple times in June and November of last year.

The 56-year-old former president and CEO told the Tokyo District Court on Monday that the indictment is correct based on the facts.

Kaufmann stated that he started using illegal drugs on a friend's recommendation. He said he was working 16 to 18 hours a day and wanted to conceal his tiredness.

The defendant also said that a man who handed over drugs to him threatened to tell police and the media about his purchases. Kaufmann added that he had been at a loss what to do.

Prosecutors demanded 10 months in prison, while the defense lawyers called for a lenient ruling.

Kaufmann joined Olympus in 2003 after working for a German company and other firms. He assumed the posts of Olympus president and CEO in April last year, but stepped down in October after the company received a report about the allegation.

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