Panel To Ask Tokyo 2020 Minister To Head Committee
NHK has learned that a panel tasked with selecting the new head of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee is set to ask Tokyo Games Minister Hashimoto Seiko to take the job.
The panel has been considering candidates to succeed Mori Yoshiro, who offered to step down last week following public backlash over his seemingly sexist remarks.
The organizing committee set up the eight-member panel of mostly athletes to ensure transparency in the selection process.
The panel held closed-door meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sources say it narrowed down the candidates to Hashimoto during its two-hour meeting on Wednesday.
Hashimoto has consistently denied being asked to assume the post of organizing committee chief. It's unclear whether she would accept such a request by the panel.
If Hashimoto agrees to take the job, the organizing committee plans to officially select her as its new chief at a board meeting as early as this week.