The man was to run through a district whose residents had to evacuate after the 2011 nuclear accident. He had hoped to help boost his community, but said he finds it unacceptable that the organizing committee and the government appear to be defending Mori.

Tamura Atsushi, a member of a comedy duo, known as "London Boots," has also opted out of the torch relay.

In addition, a total of 126 volunteers recruited by seven prefectural governments to serve as transportation and sightseeing guides have declined to do their jobs.

The Games' organizing committee said 390 volunteers who were to be posted at the athletes' village and event venues had withdrawn as of Monday.

This brings to more than 500 the number of volunteers who have decided to pull out in the week after Mori made the controversial remarks.