Yoshiro Mori, chairman of the Tokyo Olympics organizing committee, said he would not resign after his derogatory comments about women caused a widespread reaction.
Mori, 83, made several comments about women in sports organizations earlier this week during a meeting of the Japanese Olympic Committee. According to Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, comments were made after Mori was questioned about the plan to increase the number of women on the committee to 40 percent of the total.
“Women have a strong sense of rivalry. If one raises his hand to speak, everyone else also needs to speak. Everyone ends up saying something, ”said Mori through the Guardian.
“If I say too much, the newspapers will write that I said bad things, but I heard someone say that if we want to increase the number of women on the council, we have to regulate speaking time to some extent, or else we will never be able to finish. I won’t say who said that.
“We have about seven women on the organizing committee, but everyone understands their place.”
Generalized clearance
The reaction to Mori’s comments was intense in Japan, where women still struggle for representation in politics and business. On Thursday, “Mori, please resign” was a trend on Twitter in Japan, and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga called the comments “unacceptable” during a parliamentary session.
Kaori Yamaguchi, director of the Japanese Olympic Committee who has been campaigning tirelessly to increase the number of women in Japanese sports, was disappointed by Mori’s comments.
“Gender equality and consideration for people with disabilities should be taken for granted at the Tokyo Games,” said Yamaguchi through Kyodo News. “It is unfortunate to see the president of the organizing committee make such an observation.”
Several government officials also criticized Mori’s sexist comments. Via Kyodo News:
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said that “needless to say” that women should be included in the decision-making process, adding that she believes that someone “talking too much” is an individual’s problem, not their gender. .
The Japanese government’s chief spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, said the government is committed to gender equality and will continue to push for the promotion of women to leadership positions in sports organizations.
Mori couldn’t even escape the reaction at home. Via the BBC, Mori told the Japanese newspaper Mainichi that several women in his family had yelled at him about his comments.
“Last night, my wife gave me a complete rebuke. She said, ‘You said something bad again, didn’t you? I’m going to have to suffer again because you antagonized women.
“This morning, my daughter and granddaughter scolded me too.”
Mori apologizes, but does not resign
Mori, who was known as a gaffe during his time as prime minister, apologized for his remarks at a news conference on Thursday.
“The statement made at the Japan Olympic Committee was an inappropriate expression, contrary to the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics,” said Mori. “I am deeply sorry. I would like to withdraw the statement. I would like to apologize for any unpleasant feelings.”
However, Mori also said he would not resign.
“I’m not thinking of resigning,” said Mori through the Guardian. “I’ve been working hard and dedicated myself to helping [the Tokyo Olympics] For seven years. Will not give up. “
Later, during the press conference, Mori was asked why he said that women talk a lot during meetings. According to the Guardian, Mori said: “I don’t talk to women very much these days, so I don’t know.”
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