Tokyo Olympics creative head Hiroshi Sasaki resigns over derogatory remark
Sasaki, who was the head creative director for the opening and closing ceremonies at this year’s Games, said he had told a planning group through a group chat that Naomi Watanabe could play a role as an “Olympig.”
“There was a very inappropriate expression in my ideas and remarks,” Sasaki said in a statement issued through Games organizers in the early hours of Thursday. “I sincerely apologize to her and people who have felt discomfort with such contents.”
Hashimoto and Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto plan to address the matter at a news conference on Thursday, organizers said.
Sasaki’s resignation came swiftly after weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported his remarks on Wednesday.
Mori, 83, a former prime minister, was replaced by athlete-turned-politician Hashimoto who has pledged to make gender equality a top priority at the Games.
The Olympics are scheduled from July 23 to August 8 and the Paralympics from August 24 to September 5.
