Tokyo 2020 chief Yoshiro Mori to quit over sexist remarks

TOKYO: Tokyo 2020 organising committee president Yoshiro Mori will resign over his controversial remarks about women, media reports said here on Thursday. Nearly all major Japanese media outlets, including state broadcaster NHK and news agency Kyodo, have reported that the 83-year-old former prime minister will quit the position since protests over his comments have shown no sign of abating. Mori, who was appointed to head the Olympic organising committee in 2014, said on February 3 at a meeting of the Japanese Olympic Committee, "Women have a strong sense of rivalry... if one female member raises her hand to speak, everyone will think they need to say something too."

Mori made an apology at a news conference last Thursday but refused to resign.

The organisers said in a statement on Wednesday that Mori has expressed his "deepest apologies and remorse".

Mori's resignation might be the only option for the Tokyo 2020 organising committee to ease the mounting pressure following the comments. IANS

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