Author: Kageyama Yuri and Yamaguchi Mari
Associated Press
Tokyo (Associated Press)-Japanese composer Keigo Oyamada, who worked for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, resigned on July 19 after being criticized for bullying classmates in his childhood.
He said on his Twitter and Facebook accounts: “I sincerely accept the comments and suggestions I have received, express my gratitude, and will keep in mind my future actions and thoughts.”
“I apologize from the bottom of my heart.”
Reports about his past abuse of classmates (including students with disabilities) recently surfaced online, sparking strong opposition from social media and demanding his resignation.
The organizers of the Olympic Games stated on July 18 that he would stay because he had shown remorse.
A few hours after Koyamada submitted his resignation, they changed their position, saying that his behavior was “absolutely unacceptable” and that their earlier decision to keep him in office in light of his apology was “wrong.”
The organizer said: “We express our deepest apologies for the offense and confusion caused to so many people during this period.”
52-year-old Oyamada, also known as Cornelius, apologized online last week.
Some critics said he should hold a press conference and apologize personally. Others questioned why he didn’t apologize earlier.
Koyamada’s work has been compared to the American rock musician Baker, who spoke of his abuse in an interview with a Japanese magazine in the 1990s.
In a statement, Atsuko Kubo, president of the Association for Families with Intellectual Disabilities, “strongly protested” Oyamada’s past behavior and stated that it is disturbing that he targeted disabled people who are unlikely to fight back, and that he still brags about it for many years. Rear.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu said that Koyamada’s past bullying behavior violated the government’s policy of achieving an inclusive society and was “intolerable”.
According to NHK public television and other Japanese media reports, on July 20, the organizers stated that they would not use a piece of music composed by Koyamada for the opening ceremony. NHK stated that he will also be canceled from his planned role at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics.
The ceremony on July 23 will be held without spectators to curb the spread of coronavirus infection, but some officials, guests and media will attend.
At the time of his resignation, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s government faced criticism for making the Olympics a priority, even though the public was concerned about health as the infection returned.
Koyamada’s resignation is the latest to trouble the Olympics. Yoshiro Mori resigned as chairman of the organizing committee because his remarks were considered sexist. Sasaki Hiroshi also resigned as creative director of the opening and closing ceremonies after suggesting that the Japanese actress dress up as a pig.
