TOKYO – Yoshiro Mori, the president of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee and a former prime minister, could be forced to resign after making derogatory remarks about women earlier this week.
This is an additional issue as organizers and the International Olympic Committee are trying to ward off the postponed Games amid the coronavirus pandemic. They will open on July 23rd.
The organizing committee said Thursday it did not have a statement but expected it to be later in the day.
According to the daily Asahi Shimbun, Mori said that women were talking too much during an online meeting of the Japanese Olympic Committee’s board earlier this week. His remarks created a storm in Japan, where women are severely under-represented in politics and in council chambers.
In an interview with the Japanese newspaper Mainichi published on Thursday, Mori (83) apologizes and suggests that he resign.
“I did not intend to despise women,” Mainichi said. “I believe I have to carry out my responsibility, but if I request to resign, I may have to resign.”
He added: “It was indifferent of me, and I want to apologize.”
Asahi said in an online meeting Tuesday: “Women are very competitive. If one of them raises her hand, they probably think they should say something too. And then everyone says something.”
His comments come when asked about the presence of few women on the board of the Japanese Olympic Committee.
“If we’re going to have more women directors, someone noticed, then meetings go on for a long time, unless we limit the comments. I’m not saying who it is,” he said.
The Tokyo Olympics he is leading are already flooded with problems.
About 80% of Japanese in the polls say the Games should be postponed or canceled amid the pandemic. They also commented on rising costs that would amount to more than $ 25 billion to host these Olympics.