Ruling, Opposition Camps At Odds Over Mori Remarks
Japan's ruling and opposition camps remain at odds over recent remarks by the head of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing committee, which were criticized as sexist.
Mori Yoshiro said at a Japanese Olympic Committee meeting last week that board meetings with women tend to drag on because they talk too much. He later retracted the remarks and apologized.
But the comments have caused a backlash. About 390 people have withdrawn from volunteering for the Games.
At the Diet, opposition lawmakers are demanding that Mori resign. They say it would harm national interests if someone who made comments that go against the Olympic spirit remains as the head of the organizing committee.
While many members of the governing camp have called the remarks inappropriate and disappointing, the leadership of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party holds the view that Mori does not need to step down.
LDP leaders say Mori has already retracted the remarks. They also point out the need to accelerate coordination with relevant organizations and other countries with the scheduled opening of the Games less than six months away. They plan to watch for the organizing committee's decision.
Opposition lawmakers are stepping up criticism of the ruling camp for not urging Mori to resign.