New Tokyo 2020 head deeply regrets behaviour from seven years ago

[TOKYO] Seiko Hashimoto, just named head of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, said on Thursday that she deeply regretted her behaviour from seven years ago, when she faced scrutiny over reports she'd made unwanted advances towards a sportsman during the Sochi Olympics.

"Both then and now, I deeply regret my behaviour," Ms Hashimoto told a news conference after being formally named to the post.

She replaces 83-year-old Yoshiro Mori, who resigned after saying women talk too much in meetings, sparking outcry in Japan and abroad.

But Ms Hashimoto is not without baggage and has also been involved in controversy - facing a sexual harassment scandal in 2014 after photos emerged of her hugging and kissing a male figure skater over 20 years her junior.

The skater said he did not think he had been harassed by the married Hashimoto, who apologised at the time for any "misunderstanding" caused by the photos.

"My actions seven years ago were deeply regrettable... I am still reflecting about what I did," Ms Hashimoto said after her appointment on Thursday.

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Ms Hashimoto is a seven-time Olympian sprint cyclist and speed skater - winning bronze in 1992.

She had been one of just two women in Japan's Cabinet, serving as Olympic minister before stepping down to take the key post.

Tokyo 2020's new president vowed to "regain trust" in the Olympic organising committee after an embarrassing sexism row, with just over five months until the virus-postponed Games.

"I'm sure the Games are going to attract more attention related to gender equality, and in this regard I am determined to regain trust, by my fullest endeavours," she said after her appointment.

She pledged to increase the number of women on the Tokyo 2020 executive board from around 20 per cent to 40 per cent, and urged Olympic torchbearers and volunteers who had quit in protest at Mr Mori's comments to return.

Until Thursday, Ms Hashimoto, 56, was also minister for gender equality and women's empowerment.

"I recognise that there is still a lot of conscious division of roles according to gender (in Japan). What can be done to change that through the organising committee's reforms is important," she said.

She had reportedly been reluctant to take on the job, and will face an uphill struggle to win over the public before the Games are due to open on July 23.

Anti-infection measures should be Tokyo 2020's "top priority", she said, pledging to work to "ensure that the public both domestically and abroad feel this is going to be a safe and secure Olympic Games".

REUTERS,AFP