Mori, Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee Chair, Resigns... Successor Hashimoto Emerges (Comprehensive)

"Just 9 Days After 'Misogynistic' Remarks... Successor Kawabuchi Nomination Canceled"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] Mori Yoshiro (森喜朗, 83), Chairman of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee, officially announced his resignation on the 12th, taking responsibility for the controversy caused by his 'misogynistic' remarks. On that day, Chairman Mori said at a joint meeting of the board of directors and council members held in Tokyo, "I intend to resign from the chairman position today," explaining his reason for stepping down by saying, "The important thing is to properly hold the Olympics in July, and if my presence hinders the preparations, I should step aside."

He continued, "My inappropriate remarks caused great confusion. I sincerely apologize to the directors, council members, and many others for the significant trouble I have caused."

Earlier, at the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) extraordinary council meeting held on the 3rd, Chairman Mori sparked controversy over misogyny by stating, while discussing the issue of increasing female directors, that "a board with many women takes time (to conduct meetings)." Although he apologized for his remarks and initially intended to retain his position, mounting criticism both domestically and internationally eventually led to his resignation. It has been nine days since the problematic remarks were made.

Chairman Mori conveyed his intention to resign to the organizing committee executives the day before and met with Kawabuchi Saburo (川淵三郞, 84), former chairman of the Japan Football Association, requesting him to take over as the next chairman of the organizing committee. Kawabuchi accepted the request, but controversy arose over the appropriateness of Mori, who was stepping down without a formal selection process through the board, effectively nominating his successor. Japan's largest daily newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun, criticized this, stating, "It cannot erase the impression of a 'secretive succession' by Mori himself, who caused the confusion." In response, NHK reported, citing sources, that Kawabuchi reversed his position within a day and indicated he would refuse the request to become chairman of the organizing committee.

Mori's nomination of a successor has thus been nullified. The organizing committee decided to form a committee to select Mori's successor and proceed with the formal process for replacing the chairman. According to the organizing committee's bylaws, the board of directors holds the authority to appoint and dismiss the chairman, and the chairman must be selected from among the organizing committee's directors. Kyodo News reported that Hashimoto Seiko (橋本聖子), Minister in charge of the Olympics, is emerging as a candidate to succeed Chairman Mori.

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