After leaderâs sexist remark, Tokyo Olympics appoints a woman to take charge
Selection of Japanese Cabinet minister, an Olympic medalist, represents a stark generational and gender shift for the organizing committee, which had initially planned to name another octogenarian male leader
By Motoko Rich New York Times,Updated February 18, 2021, 5:15 p.m.
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Seiko Hashimoto, president of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee.Yuichi Yamazaki/Bloomberg
TOKYO â Bending to intense criticism from abroad and social media activism at home, the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee on Thursday appointed Seiko Hashimoto, one of Japanâs two female Cabinet ministers, to replace the previous leader, who resigned last week after making sexist remarks.
After Leaderâs Sexist Remark, Tokyo Olympics Makes Symbolic Shift
The selection of Seiko Hashimoto as president represented an abrupt turn after the Olympic committee had apparently intended to name another man in his 80s.
Seiko Hashimoto, the new president of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Organizing Committee, on Thursday. The selection of Ms. Hashimoto, 56, an Olympic medalist in speedskating, represented a stark generational and gender shift for the committee.Credit.Pool photo by Yuichi Yamazaki
Published Feb. 18, 2021Updated March 18, 2021
TOKYO â Bending to intense criticism from abroad and social media activism at home, the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee on Thursday appointed Seiko Hashimoto, one of Japanâs two female cabinet ministers, to replace the previous leader, who resigned last week after making sexist remarks.