TOKYO (Reuters) – Yoshiro Mori, head of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, is due to resign on Friday over sexist comments, but who will replace him remains open after his chosen successor was forced to resign under public criticism , informed the local press.
Mori, 83, had grabbed 84-year-old Saburo Kawabuchi, who currently serves as mayor of the Olympic village to take over the top position, Kawabuchi told reporters earlier.
But the choice raised questions about whether there is no better alternative than another older man.
In an extraordinary turn of events, local broadcaster Fuji News Network reported that the government will try to block Kawabuchi’s nomination as Mori’s replacement after a flood of public criticism both at home and abroad.
“We can’t give the impression that things have changed if we don’t install a woman or see a generational change,” a government source told FNN.
Kawabuchi, who initially said he wanted to accept Mori’s request, decided to step down, the internal press reported.
Later on Friday, the Tokyo Olympic Committee, which did not officially comment on Mori’s resignation, plans to hold a meeting of the council and its executive council, followed by a press conference.
Mori will explain his position at Friday’s Games meeting, Japanese Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto told parliament, referring to a phone call with Mori.
Asked if it is possible for Mori, a leader who is leaving to appoint his own successor, Hashimoto said there must be proper procedures for choosing the next leader for the organizing committee.
Mori, a former Japanese prime minister, has sparked a worldwide outcry with sexist comments that women talk too much about earlier this month, which he made during an Olympic committee meeting.
Mori apologized for his comments, but so far has not resigned, despite growing calls for him.
His resignation less than six months before the scheduling of the Summer Olympics will raise new doubts about the viability of organizing the postponed Games this year.
Reporting by Ju-min Park, Chang-ran Kim; Edited by Michael Perry and Raju Gopalakrishnan