[Tokyo 9th Reuters]— About a week after spreading the ripples by saying, “The board of directors with many women will take time,” criticism of Yoshiro Mori, chairman of the Tokyo Organizing Committee for the Olympics and Paralympics, has subsided. Absent. Top athletes and ministers have also accused women of being disdainful and outdated.
On the other hand, there are no voices calling for resignation from the Games, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and government and ruling party officials. This is because he believes that the yellow light could be lit for the Olympics this summer if the influential chairman Mori disappears.
On the 4th, the day after his remarks were controversial, Chairman Mori apologized and withdrew. The answers received at that time and the remarks made in subsequent TV interviews called for new criticism.
While the situation is not showing signs of settling down, some officials at the Organizing Committee say that if Chairman Mori resigns, the realization of the Tokyo Olympics will be jeopardized.
Olympic officials and ruling party officials interviewed by Reuters see a deep network of politicians and Olympic officials as the key to the success of the Tokyo Olympics, and almost feel the benefit of driving out the influential Chairman Mori. I wasn’t.
A person concerned told Mr. Mori, who was attending the apology press conference, “The committee prepared the content of the statement in advance and told Mr. Mori that he should not say that he would resign.” Mr. Mori continues to receive strong support from the Japanese government and IOC executives, said the person, who responded to the interview on condition of anonymity. “There is no guarantee that there will be good things to replace Chairman Mori.”
The IOC has accepted Chairman Mori’s apology and acknowledged that “this issue is over.” On the 7th, the Organizing Committee issued a statement that Chairman Mori withdrew his remarks and expressed his deep apologies and remorse.
In response to Reuters’ question, the Organizing Committee reiterated the comments on the 9th and 7th, stating that “Chairman Mori’s remarks are inappropriate against the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics,” and “continuing the situation in Corona. We will take all possible measures and make preparations to make the Games safety and security first, “he said in an email.
The IOC was also asked for comment, but no response has been obtained at this time.
In an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun on the 6th, Chairman Mori said he thought about resigning but was persuaded to stay. “Everyone has detained me. If the chairman quits now, the IOC will be more worried and Japan’s credibility will be lost.”
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on the 8th that Mr. Mori’s comments were not good for the national interest, but he only stated that Mr. Mori’s advancement and retreat would be decided by the Organizing Committee.
With the infection of the new coronavirus not converging worldwide, it seems that another hurdle has been added to the event for those involved in the Games who are aiming to realize the Olympics that have been postponed for one year.
With less than six months before the opening ceremony on July 23, officials are rushing to develop measures to accommodate thousands of athletes. A senior Liberal Democratic Party official involved in the Tokyo Olympics pointed out that Mr. Mori “is a living dictionary of the Olympics and knows everything about the past eight years,” and explained that Mr. Mori has strong support from government officials.
Mr. Mori’s strength as chairman of the organization committee lies in his experience as a former prime minister and his presence as an influential person within the ruling party. The Liberal Democratic Party executive said, “There is Mr. Mori, and he is traveling around.”
Many feel that only Mr. Mori had the influence to move the governor and ministers over the decision to postpone the event last year, a mid-level official of the Organizing Committee points out. “I feel like it’s not possible without the chairman in the organizing committee,” he said.
In the email exchange inside the organization committee confirmed by Reuters, one official pointed out that it is important for the organization committee to “protect with all its might” so that Mr. Mori can overcome it.
Kaori Yamaguchi, who won the bronze medal in the women’s judo at the Seoul Olympic Games and is a director of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), points out that “Mr. Mori is untouchable.”
Mr. Yamaguchi, who participated online as an observer at the meeting on the 3rd when he said the problem, said, “I think it’s very easy for the IOC. The dictator is quicker. Mr. Mori is okay. Speaking of which, it’s okay, “he said, pointing out that there would be no merit in quitting Mr. Mori.
IOC director Dick Pound, who responded to Reuters inquiries by email, said Mori’s remarks were “unfortunate”, while he was withdrawn and he apologized, “I’m okay with this. Probably. “
Despite this support from people involved in the Olympics, public opinion is skeptical of Mr. Mori’s continued investment. In an opinion poll conducted by Kyodo News on the 6th and 7th, 59.9% of the respondents said that Mr. Mori was “not suitable” as chairman. More than 80% of the respondents requested a review of this summer’s Olympics, including “should be canceled” and “should be postponed again.”
The general staff of the Organizing Committee agrees with this public opinion and points out that Mr. Mori’s remarks are also an insult to the staff.
One official said he should have explained to the staff of the Organizing Committee after Mr. Mori’s apology conference. Another official points out that the IOC should have taken stronger action.
A female staff member of the Organizing Committee, who anonymously said that she was not allowed to comment on the media, said, “Mr. Mori’s remarks are an insult to a woman working to make the Tokyo Olympics a success, and the female staff member is his. I don’t think I will accept the apology. “
Several domestic media outlets have reported that the Organizing Committee has begun coordinating to hold an extraordinary joint meeting of the board and council within the week over Chairman Mori’s remarks.
Yoshifumi Takemoto Mari Saito Interview cooperation: Emi Yamamitsu Japanese article creation: Hitoshi Ishida Editing: Shiho Tanaka, Nobuhiro Kubo
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