Resignation after 9 days of sexist remarks
The successors such as the Women’s Olympic Prize
Reporter Kim Ye-jin = On the 12th (local time), Yoshiro Mori, the chairman of the organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in Japan, has officially expressed his intention to resign. It’s been 9 days since public opinion hit by sexist remarks.
According to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK and the Associated Press, Chairman Mori said at an emergency meeting with directors and councilors on this day, “I want to withdraw from the chairman today.”
Chairman Mori said, “This time, my inappropriate remarks caused great confusion. I am sorry for causing a lot of trouble to many people including the committee.”
He added that he had no intention of despising women, and that the remarks were pathetic words in his 83 years of life.
In addition, he refuted that “the elderly have also made efforts for the interests of Japan” in connection with the point that such four months have occurred by seating the senior’s greeting in a position in charge of the Olympic event, a global festival.
The resignation was foreseen.
It is interpreted that it was not possible to withstand the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19), as the Tokyo Olympics cancellation theory became another bad news.
On the 3rd, Chairman Mori sang a demeaning excommunication for women by remarks such as, “The board of directors with many women takes time. He withdrew and apologized, but the controversy did not cool down.
Even in the early days of the crisis, President Mori refused to withdraw.
However, there were over 150,000 netizens whose sponsors voiced concern at once and agreed to a petition for denunciation of Chairman Mori.
Olympic volunteers declined. About 390 volunteers recruited by the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee left.
At least 97 volunteers recruited by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government also resigned. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government received 1405 complaints and protests against Chairman Mori on the 9th.
Toyota Motor Corp., Japan, which supports the International Olympic Committee (IOC), made a criticism statement on the 10th in the name of Toyota’s President Akio (豊田章男). Toyota is one of the 14 biggest sponsors of the Olympic Games, and it sponsors $1 billion (about 1.1 trillion won) to the IOC every four years.
Toyota president said, “I decided to become a sponsor by resonating with the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympic Games, but I am sorry from my heart because it is different from the values that Toyota has put importantly.”
Although it did not directly demand that Chairman Mori resign, the AP reported that just revealing the recognition of the problem was enough pressure.
Of the 54 companies that responded to NHK’s coverage, 36 responded that “the remarks are unacceptable.”
The IOC also pointed out in an official statement that it is “completely inappropriate”.
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Although Chairman Mori resigned, the prospect of hosting the Tokyo Olympics did not brighten, the AP said. As expected, Japan should hold the Tokyo Olympics on July 23, five months after Corona 19 is in full swing. In a recent poll conducted in Japan, only 15% of respondents clearly supported the holding, the AP said. The gaze surrounding Chairman Mori’s successor is also unwelcome. Previously, multiple media reported that it is expected that the former president of the Japan Football Association, Saburo Kawabuchi, a former soccer player, will be elected. Chairman Mori said he had already asked Kawabuchi to take over as chairman on the 11th. Kawabuchi, 84, is older than President Mori, 83. Another controversy could be sparked, the AP said, if Mori retreats to women and appoint an older man. Some argue that the former president, who has retired due to unfavorable affairs, should be selected through a transparent procedure rather than appointing a successor. When such an atmosphere was detected, reports came out that Kawabuchi changed his position and refused to say he was not an appropriate person. Japanese media are selecting female candidates who are qualified to serve as president, including former Olympic athletes. The AP reported that Kaori Yamaguchi won a judo bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. In addition, revenge Japanese media reported that Seiko Hashimoto, a woman in charge of the Olympics, emerged as a major nominee. About 30 people gathered near the building where Chairman Mori announced his resignation that day and urged the suspension of the Olympic Games. They heard placards such as “Stop the Tokyo Olympics” and “Chairman Mori is not entitled to a successor.” |
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