IOC "Chairman Mori's Remarks Highly Inappropriate"... Olympic Sponsors Also Oppose

'Controversy Over "Misogynistic" Remarks Spreads
Olympic Sponsors Also Say "Cannot Tolerate"
Organizing Committee to Hold Response Meeting on 12th'

Yoshiro Mori, Chairman of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee
Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic sponsors have expressed dissatisfaction over Mori Yoshiro, Chairman of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee's 'misogynistic' remarks. As critical public opinion continues within Japan, the controversy surrounding Chairman Mori's comments is spreading.

According to foreign media on the 9th (local time), the IOC issued a statement regarding Chairman Mori's remarks, calling them "completely inappropriate and contrary to the IOC's commitments and Olympic reforms."

Earlier, at the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) extraordinary council meeting held on the 3rd, Chairman Mori sparked controversy by saying, "Boards with many women take longer to conduct meetings," while discussing the issue of increasing female directors, which was criticized as misogynistic.

On the 4th, the IOC stated that "Chairman Mori has apologized (for his remarks)" and indicated they would not make an issue of it. However, as criticism did not subside, it is reported that the IOC reissued a statement strongly condemning the remarks.

According to a survey conducted by NHK targeting 70 Olympic sponsors, among the 54 companies that responded, excluding 18 non-responses, 36 companies answered that "Chairman Mori's remarks are unacceptable." All sponsors who responded to the survey expressed that Mori's comments are intolerable. When asked if they plan to reconsider or suspend sponsorship contracts at this time, all 42 companies that answered said "No plans."

Amid strong public calls within Japan for Chairman Mori's resignation, including the mass resignation of about 390 Tokyo Olympic volunteers the previous day, the Japanese government and ruling party are reportedly maintaining the position that Chairman Mori should remain in his post.

Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and a key figure, expressed support for Mori continuing to lead the organizing committee at a press conference the previous day, saying, "I hope he will firmly meet the expectations around him."

The Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee plans to hold a joint extraordinary meeting with directors and council members on the 12th to discuss measures in response to Chairman Mori's remarks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.