Tokyo Olympics creative director resigns after demeaning remark

2021-03-18 02:59:03 GMT2021-03-18 10:59:03(Beijing Time) Sina English

The Tokyo Olympic Games's creative head has resigned after making a derogatory remark about a popular female Japanese entertainer, the latest controversy over insensitive remarks towards women to hit Games organisers.

Hiroshi Sasaki, who was the head creative director for the opening and closing ceremonies at this year's Games, said he had told a planning group through a group chat that Naomi Watanabe could play a role as an "Olympig".

Watanabe is a popular comedian, actress, and fashion designer in Japan who rose to prominence after she lip-synced Beyonce's Dream Girls on a Japanese variety show. 

"There was a very inappropriate expression in my ideas and remarks," Mr Sasaki said in a statement issued through Games organisers on Thursday.

"I sincerely apologise to her and people who have felt discomfort with such contents."

Mr Sasaki said he had told Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto late on Wednesday evening that he was stepping down.

Mr Hashimoto and Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshiro Muto planned to address the matter at a news conference on Thursday, organisers said.

Mr Sasaki's resignation came swiftly after weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported his remarks on Wednesday.

Last month, Yoshiro Mori stepped down from his role as president of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee after saying women talked too much.

Mr Mori, a former prime minister, was replaced by Mr Hashimoto, an athlete-turned-politician, who has pledged to make gender equality a top priority at the Games.

Mr Sasaki was named head of the creative team in December as Olympic organisers looked to revamp plans for simplified ceremonies after the Tokyo Games were pushed back a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 8 and the Paralympics from August 24 to September 5.

(Agencies)

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