Games Creative Head Resigns Over Comment
The chief creative director for the Tokyo Games ceremonies has resigned over a derogatory remark he made about a female entertainer.
It's just the latest setback for the delayed Olympic and Paralympic Games, which is facing the unprecedented challenge of hosting the world's largest sporting event during a coronavirus pandemic.
Sasaki Hiroshi was the chief creative director for the opening and closing ceremonies.
Bunshun Online reported on Wednesday about a chat message Sasaki sent to his team about a year ago. In it, he suggested a popular Japanese comedian should dress like a pig at the opening ceremony.
Sasaki admitted making the suggestion, adding that staff were extremely offended.
Tokyo Games chief Hashimoto Seiko said, "The reported comments were inappropriate and deeply regrettable. Since I took office as the chief of the committee, I have been promoting gender equality as a main policy to regain people's trust and I have tried to swiftly implement it. Such a thing should never happen."
Hashimoto added that she would accept Sasaki's resignation.
Hashimoto, who was the former Olympics Minister, took on the role last month, after the previous head, Mori Yoshiro, sparked an international firestorm by saying women talk too much.
In a statement, Sasaki said his "idea and remarks were extremely insulting and irreversible." He went on to apologize to the comedian "and to anyone else who was offended by the comment."