The man in charge of organising the delayed Summer Olympic Games in Japan has apologised over comments he made about women.
Former Japanese Prime Minister and now head of the Tokyo Games committee, Yoshiro Mori, was quoted by a local newspaper saying women 'talk too much' and that they make meetings 'drag on'.
The Mainichi newspaper claims he said: "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.
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"Women have a strong sense of rivalry. If one (female) member raises her hand to speak, all the others feel the need to speak too. Everyone ends up saying something."
The comments were in response to a plan within the Japanese Olympic Committee to increase the number of women on its board.
The controversial statements were quickly picked up by other news organisations, causing many to call for the 83-year-old to resign. There was even a hashtag that went viral on social media that rallied for the leader to step aside.
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He admitted the newspaper: "I believe I have to fulfil my responsibility, but I may have to resign if voices calling for my resignation get stronger."
Mr Mori has since fronted the media and apologised for his comments. But he insists he will be staying in the top job.
"I am deeply remorseful. I would like to withdraw the statement. I would like to apologise for any unpleasant feelings," Mori said. "I am not thinking of resigning. I have been working hard and devoted myself to helping (the Tokyo Olympics) for seven years. I will not be stepping down."
During the apology press conference, a reporter asked the Olympics boss where he has evidence to suggest women talk too much.
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Mr Mori replied: "I don't talk to women that much lately so I don't know."
Japan Olympic Committee director Kaori Yamaguchi said the comments were 'unfortunate'.
"Gender equality and consideration for people with disabilities were supposed to be a given for the Tokyo Games," Yamaguchi said. "It is unfortunate to see the President of the organising committee make such a remark."
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It appears the Tokyo Olympic Games will be going ahead later this year, regardless of what the coronavirus situation is in the country.
Japan has been experiencing a large outbreak of the virus and the Games have already been postponed from last year. However, officials have declared that enough systems are in place to ensure athletes and their teams will be safe.
Yoshiro Mori said the discussion shouldn't focus on whether the Games will happen and instead be on how.
"We will hold the Olympics, regardless of how the coronavirus [situation] looks," Mori said. "We must consider new ways of hosting the Olympics."
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That's despite a new poll that suggests up to 80 per cent of people in Japan oppose the Games being held in July if the situation doesn't improve.
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