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TOKYO (AP) – Keigo Oyamada, a Japanese composer working on the opening ceremony for the Tokyo Olympics, resigned on Monday after being criticized for harassing his classmates as a child.
“I sincerely accept the opinions and advice I have received, express my gratitude and will keep them in mind for my future actions and thoughts,” he said on his Twitter and Facebook accounts.
“I apologize from the bottom of my heart.”
Reports of his past mistreatment of his classmates, including people with disabilities, recently surfaced online and sparked a backlash on social media as well as demands for resignations.
Games organizers said on Sunday he would stay because he showed remorse. Hours after Oyamada submitted his resignation, they reconsidered their position and called his actions “absolutely unacceptable”, saying their earlier decision to let him stay in light of his apologies and the short time remaining. before the opening ceremony was “bad”.
“We apologize for the offense and confusion caused to so many during this time,” said the organizers.
Oyamada, 52, also known as Cornelius, apologized online last week.
Some critics had said he should hold a press conference and apologize in person. Others asked why he hadn’t apologized earlier.
Oyamada, whose works have been compared to American rock musician Beck, spoke about the abuse in Japanese magazine interviews he gave in the 1990s.
In a statement released on Sunday, Atsuko Kubo, head of an association of families of the mentally disabled, “strongly protested” against Oyamada’s past actions and said it was worrying that he had targeted the disabled, who were less likely to retaliate, and that he still bragged about years later.
Earlier Monday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Oyamada’s past bullying goes against government policy to achieve an inclusive society and “cannot be tolerated.”
Later Monday, organizers said a segment of music composed by Oyamada for Friday’s opening ceremony would not be used, NHK state television and other Japanese media reported. He will also be removed from his planned role in the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, NHK said.
Friday’s ceremony will take place without spectators in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus infections, although some officials, guests and media will attend.
The resignation comes as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s government faces criticism for prioritizing the Olympics despite public health concerns amid resurgent infections.
Oyamada’s resignation is the latest to poison the Games. Yoshiro Mori resigned from his post as president of the organizing committee for comments perceived as sexist. Hiroshi Sasaki also stepped down as creative director for the opening and closing ceremonies after suggesting that a Japanese actress should dress like a pig.
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Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
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