'Corona is just ripples' tweet controversy... Resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Suga's advisor

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] A close aide of Yoshihide Suga, the Japanese Prime Minister criticized for failing to properly respond to the COVID-19 crisis, has abruptly resigned. This came after he posted a series of tweets referring to Japan's COVID-19 situation as "small waves" and "like farts," which sparked controversy.

On the 24th (local time), according to local media including Kyodo News, Yoichi Takahashi, a professor at Kaetsu University who served as a Cabinet Secretariat participant and an unpaid advisor to Prime Minister Suga, submitted his resignation as an advisor on the same day.

Professor Takahashi, who often expressed his opinions on Twitter, caused controversy by supporting the Suga Cabinet's push to hold the Tokyo Olympics amid the spreading COVID-19 pandemic. On the 21st, he was criticized for describing the Japanese government's COVID-19 state of emergency as "like farts," implying it was trivial.

On the 9th, he also posted on Twitter a graph showing COVID-19 confirmed cases in major countries worldwide, writing, "Japan is just this level of small waves. If the Olympics are canceled because of this, lol (laughing)," which led to criticism that he was treating the COVID-19 situation lightly.

As the controversy grew, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said at a press conference on the 24th, "He must take responsibility and respond accordingly." Afterwards, Professor Takahashi reportedly apologized on Twitter and submitted his resignation.

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