Tokyo Olympics chief apologizes for saying women talk too much in meetings
The head of the Tokyo Olympics' organizing committee has apologized to "those who were offended" by his sexist comments complaining that women talk too much in meetings, but he's refusing to resign amid the outrage.
Yoshiro Mori, who serves as president of the Tokyo Olympics' organizing committee and was formerly Japan's prime minister, faced calls to resign on Wednesday after saying that "board of directors meetings with many women take a lot of time" because they talk too much. The comments came as he spoke about the fact that there aren't more women on the Japanese Olympic Committee board, according to The Washington Post.
"If we are going to have more women directors, someone has remarked, then meetings go on for a long time unless we restrict the comments," he reportedly said, adding, "Women are competitive. When one person raises a hand, others think they need to speak up as well. That's why everyone speaks."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Facing outrage over the remarks, Mori expressed "remorse" on Thursday, The Washington Post reports.
"Regarding my remark yesterday, it was going against the mentality of the Olympics and Paralympics," Mori said, per the Post. "I would like to take back what I said, and apologize to those who were offended by my remarks. The Olympics and Paralympics represent the equality of both men and women, and I am thankful for the women athletes and staff."
But Mori said he has "no thought of resigning" amid demands he do so, and Reuters reports that when asked if he actually does think women talk too much, he said, "I don't listen to women that much lately so I don't know." The Post also writes that as he spoke, he "showed no obvious signs of regret, and he smiled several times."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Gaetz bows out, Trump pivots to Pam Bondi
Speed Read Gaetz withdrew from attorney generation consideration, making way for longtime Trump loyalist Pam Bondi
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'The double standards don't trouble the critics'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - November 22, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - frozen assets, blazing fires, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Europe roiled by attacks on Israeli soccer fans
Speed Read Israeli fans supporting the Maccabi Tel Aviv team clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters in 'antisemitic attacks,' Dutch authorities said
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New York wins WNBA title, nearly nabs World Series
Speed Read The Yankees with face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the upcoming Fall Classic
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Carolina ends perfect season with NCAA title
Speed Read The women's basketball team won a victory over superstar Caitlin Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Iowa's Caitlin Clark breaks NCAA scoring record
speed read College basketball star Caitlin Clark set the new record in Iowa's defeat of Ohio State
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Eight-year-old Brit Bodhana Sivanandan makes chess history
Speed Read Sivanandan has been described as a 'phenomenon' by chess masters
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Watch Simone Biles win her record 8th US gymnastics championship
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Spain beats England 1-0 to win its first Women's World Cup
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published