Hiroshi Sasaki: Creative Director of the Tokyo Olympics resigns over derogatory remarks about Naomi Watanabe

Hiroshi Sasaki: Creative Director of the Tokyo Olympics resigns over derogatory remarks about Naomi Watanabe

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Sasaki, who was the chief creative director for the opening and closing ceremonies at this year’s Games, said he told a planning group through a group discussion that Naomi Watanabe could play a role as ‘Olympiad’.

“There was a very inappropriate expression in my ideas and comments,” Sasaki said in a statement issued by Games organizers in the early hours of Thursday morning. “I sincerely apologize to her and people who feel uncomfortable with such content.”

Sasaki said he told President Seiko Hashimoto, president of Tokyo 2020, late Wednesday night that he would retire.

Organizers say Tokyo 2020 CEO Hashimoto and Toshiro Muto will attend a news conference on Thursday.

Sasaki’s resignation came quickly after the weekly Shukan Bunshun reported his comments on Wednesday.

Last month, Yoshiro Mori stepped down from his role as chairman of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee after he was furious with sexist remarks when he said women talk too much.

Mori, 83, a former prime minister, has been replaced by Hashimoto, the athlete politician, who has vowed to make gender equality a top priority at the Games.

Sasaki was named head of the creative team in December because Olympic organizers wanted to revamp plans for simplified ceremonies after the Tokyo Games were pushed back a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Olympic Games are scheduled for July 23 to August 8 and the Paralympic Games from August 24 to September 5.

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