Mori's successor faces mounting problems as Tokyo Olympics chief

Sexism row and coronavirus loom heavy as ex-soccer player Kawabuchi takes charge

20210211N Mori-Kawabuchi octogenarian duo

Saburo Kawabuchi, right, a former Japan Football Association president, has been tapped to replace Yoshiro Mori as head of the Tokyo organizing committee. © Kyodo

TAKANOBU IWAMURA, Nikkei deputy editor

February 12, 2021 12:38 JST

TOKYO -- Stepping in as chief organizer of the Tokyo Olympics with less than six months to go, Saburo Kawabuchi faces mounting problems as he works to make the games a success amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Kawabuchi, a former Japan Football Association president and former professional soccer player, is slated to replace Yoshiro Mori, who last week made headlines for saying meetings with women "take too long." The comment sparked an uproar in Japan and overseas, eroding public support for the games.