Former Olympus CEO Stefan Kaufmann has been indicted on drug charges, drawing significant attention as the trial unfolded at the Tokyo District Court.
During his initial trial on the 23rd of this month, Kaufmann, 56, acknowledged the legitimacy of the charges against him under Japan’s narcotics law. He is accused of receiving illegal drugs, including cocaine and synthetic narcotics believed to be MDMA, on several occasions from June to November of last year.
The prosecution is seeking a ten-month prison sentence, arguing Kaufmann has repeatedly engaged with these illegal substances. They emphasized the seriousness of his actions, marking the severity with which he approached the usage of drugs. Kaufmann admitted to taking cocaine after being urged by friends, explaining, “I wanted to avoid showing the fatigue from work. At such times, friends recommended cocaine to me.”
His defense claimed mitigating circumstances, stating Kaufmann faced threats from drug dealers. Allegedly, they coerced him by threatening to disclose his drug use to the authorities and the press. His attorney argued this contributed to Kaufmann’s inability to make rational decisions, calling for lesser penalties as he had stopped using drugs since February.
The prosecution, represented by prosecutor Hidekazu Komada, argued Kaufmann’s actions signify deep-rooted addiction and questioned the idea presented by the defense about no longer being at risk of reoffending. They stated, “His history of using illegal drugs and making such conscious choices deserves strong criticism.”
Kaufmann’s gratitude concerning the case was evident during his statements, where he expressed remorse for betraying the trust of many. “I want to sincerely apologize to those I have let down,” he said.
The former CEO had ascended the corporate ladder at Olympus, taking on his position as CEO just last year. Initially from Germany, he had made significant contributions to the Japanese precision instrument maker since 2003. His downfall came after the allegations of drug use surfaced, leading to his resignation on October 28.
Throughout the trial, the court has observed Kaufmann's changing narrative from being the CEO of Olympus to standing as the accused in this drug case. Sources reveal he was instructed to contact drug dealers as part of the growing crime and prevention instability associated with drug distribution.
Despite his defense team requesting for punishment to be limited to fines instead of imprisonment, the prosecution remains firm on their stance, stating the need for Kaufmann to face prison time to reflect the gravity of what he has done.
The Tokyo District Court is now set to retake the stage for the sentencing on the 27th, where Kaufmann’s future will be determined, marking another significant chapter for Olympus as it grapples with reputational damage from this high-profile incident.
