Nagoya city Mayor Takashi Kawamura bites the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games gold medal of the softball athlete Miu Goto during a ceremony in Nagoya, central Japan, 4 August 2021
(Picture: via REUTERS)Takashi Kawamura, the Nagoya City Japanese mayor who experienced backlash for taking a bite out of softball pitcher Miu Goto’s Olympic gold medal, wants to make amends for his actions: he has has offered to take a three-month pay cut as a penalty.
Earlier this month, a victory event took place celebrating Team Japan women’s softball team’s final match in which they beat Team USA 2-0.
Kawamura pulled his mask down to make a quick smile before bizarrely chomping down on Goto’s gold medal.
Kawamura was also accused of inappropriate behaviour after asking questions such as: “Are you prohibited from having romantic relationships?”
According to the Mainichi Shimbun, a local Japanese news outlet, Kawamura eventually apologized for the incident, which reportedly resulted in over 7,000 complaints to the city authorities.
Automotive manufacturer Toyota, who owns the team that Goto plays for, described the situation as “extremely regrettable.”
Japan’s Miu Goto will have her #Tokyo2020 gold medal replaced with a fresh one following an outcry on social media after the mayor of her hometown put it between his teeth https://t.co/qPwXa6bvf8 pic.twitter.com/Jq2PJGiZ7U
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 13, 2021
“I forgot my position as Nagoya mayor and acted in an extremely inappropriate way,” Kawamura said, according to BBC, as he offered to compensate.
At a press conference, Kawamura now said that he is ready to give up three months of pay which is 1.5 million yen (US$13,000), as an atonement for his actions.
“I disgraced the occasion and offended Goto and the Japanese people,” he said according to Kyodo News.
Regardless, resigning seemed to be out of the question as he said he “wants to continue serving the citizens of Nagoya.”
Goto will receive another gold medal for free from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
”With support from the International Olympic Committee and in line with her own intention, Ms. Goto’s medal is now set to be exchanged for a new one,” the Tokyo Games organizers said.
