Tokyo 2020 Chief Apologizes For Comments On Women
Head of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics organizing committee and former prime minister Mori Yoshiro has apologized for controversial comments suggesting that women talk too much in meetings. But Mori says he has no intention of resigning.
Mori said, "What I have said was inappropriate and goes against the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics. To that end, I deeply regret what I have done. And I want to retract my remark and I'll apologize to the people who were annoyed by what I said."
Mori's comment sparked a media firestorm... but, at the time, garnered little response from other members of the Japanese Olympic Committee.
The sports body has made it a goal to have 40 percent female members.
At a meeting Wednesday, Mori told his peers that having too many women on a board lengthens meetings because as soon as one talks, they all want to.
When word got out... many were outraged, prompting calls for Mori's resignation to go viral.
A woman said, "It was frustrating that he put it that way."
Another woman said, "Japan's Equal Employment Law should have improved the issues of gender inequality. It is totally wrong for the head of an organization to make such a remark."
The minister in charge of the Games spoke to Mori earlier Thursday --- at the urging of the Prime Minister.
Hashimoto Seiko said she told him he never should have made the remarks.
She went on to say that gender equality is enshrined in the Olympic charter - and must be protected.
News of Mori's apology reached the International Olympic Committee -- which told media it considers the issue "closed."