Tokyo Games Creative Director To Resign Over Slur
The chief creative director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics is set to step down over a derogatory staging proposal.
Bunshun Online reported on Wednesday that Sasaki Hiroshi made the proposal in a social media exchange with his staff last March.
It said he suggested having a popular female entertainer dress like a pig, but staff members rejected the idea.
Sasaki issued a statement admitting his remarks were extremely inappropriate. He said he was awakened to reality by his staff and retracted them.
Sasaki said he sincerely apologizes for his insulting remarks that have caused irreversible harm.
He revealed that he had tendered his resignation to the head of the Tokyo Games organizing committee, Hashimoto Seiko.
The organizing committee discussed the matter in an emergency meeting with the International Olympic Committee on Wednesday. Hashimoto will hold a news conference on Thursday.
The organizing committee is facing another setback after the resignation of Hashimoto's predecessor Mori Yoshiro last month over remarks that were widely viewed as sexist.