Person Tapped To Succeed Mori Likely To Refuse
NHK has learned that the person reportedly tapped to replace Mori Yoshiro, the current head of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, is likely to decline the post.
Former chairman of Japan's professional soccer league Kawabuchi Saburo was reportedly asked by Mori and others to become the committee's new head. Kawabuchi, who is 84 years old, on Thursday showed intent to take the job.
Mori is expected to officially offer to resign at a joint session of the committee's executive board and board of councilors on Friday afternoon over his controversial remarks about women. Kawabuchi is also scheduled to attend.
Some members of the organizing committee's executive board and the International Olympic Committee have said the process for picking Mori's successor must be transparent.
Briefed by reporters on opposition to his appointment because of the selection process, Kawabuchi said on Friday that he should follow what the Games' organizers believe is appropriate.
Friday's meeting is expected to cover how to appoint Mori's successor. A committee to be tasked with the job is being set up in the organizing committee, and is expected to include athletes.