Olympic Medalist, Gender Equality Minister Takes Over As Tokyo Games Chief Following Sexism Controversy

Topline

The Tokyo Olympics organizing committee has picked Seiko Hashimoto—a former Olympic medalist and Japanese cabinet minister in charge of the Olympics and gender equality— to take over as the committee’s president, after former chief Yoshiro Moriresigned last week following a wave of criticism over his sexist remarks.

Key Facts

Hashimoto herself is part of an influential political faction in the ruling Liberal Democrats and an ally of Mori, 83.

Earlier on Thursday, Hashimoto stepped down from her cabinet position due to restrictions that would prevent her from serving in both roles.

The appointment of a 56-year-old woman in the role comes as the 84-year-old former head of the Japanese Football Association, Saburo Kawabuchi, had initially been tipped to take over.

But Kawabuchi’s rumoured appointment resulted in an outcry on social media over his age and the fact that he reportedly had been handpicked by Mori himself.

Surprising Fact

Hashimoto is a rare “multi-season” Olympian who has participated in three Summer and four Winter Olympics between 1984 and 1996, competing in speed skating and cycling. She won a bronze medal in the 1,500-meter speed skating event at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.

Key Background

Mori resigned from his role last week after facing criticism from athletes and politicians, for making sexist comments about women. The gaffe-prone Mori had reportedly said women talk too much and have a “strong sense of rivalry” during a board meeting earlier this month. “When you increase the number of female executive members, if their speaking time isn’t restricted to a certain extent, they have difficulty finishing, which is annoying,” he reportedly said in comments denounced by the International Olympic Committee. While announcing his resignation, Mori, a former Japanese prime minister, apologized for his comments but he also defended himself, stating that his comments had been misinterpreted by the media and insisting that he was not prejudiced against women.

Tangent

Japan began rolling out Covid-19 vaccinations on Wednesday, several months behind the United States, Europe and other Asian countries like India and China. The inoculation program is critical for ensuring safety at the games but widespread vaccinations are unlikely to be completed before July 23, when the event is scheduled to start. Participating athletes will be kept in a “bubble” at the Athletes’ Village, venues and training areas. The International Olympics committee has said it will not mandate that participants take the vaccine, but will encourage it.

Big Number

77%. That is the percentage of Japanese people who want the Tokyo Games to be either canceled or postponed further according to a telephone survey conducted in January. In the poll, 35.3% of respondents backed the cancellation of the Tokyo Games, while 44.8% said the games should be postponed again.

Further Reading

Seiko Hashimoto takes over as Tokyo Olympic president (Associated Press)

Hashimoto brings experience and connections in sports and politics to her new role (Japan Times)

Woman Is Chosen to Succeed Tokyo Olympics Chief Who Made Sexist Remark (New York Times)

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