(ATR) Tokyo governor Naoki Inose, who chaired the city’s successful 2020 bid, has resigned over a financial scandal to avoid impacting Olympic preparations.
Inose on Thursday admitted receiving $500,000 from scandal-hit medical group Tokushukai before his election as governor last December.
He insisted the money was a personal loan and not for his campaign, but suspicions that it was a bribe to influence policy made his position untenable. Inose claimed he had paid back the loan from Tokushukai.
"I have decided to resign from the post of Tokyo governor," Inose told a press conference Thursday, in comments carried by AFP.
"I intended to fulfil my duty of explaining to the city assembly, people of Tokyo and people of the nation, but regrettably I could not clear doubts over me. It’s solely because of my lack of virtue."
In announcing his resignation, Inose said he didn’t want to delay government operations or stall preparations for the Olympics and Paralympics any longer.
Inose has been under intense pressure to explain himself before the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly’s general affairs committee in recent weeks, but he’s reportedly failed to deliver consistent reasons about why he took the payment from the scandal-hit hospital operator.
Around the Rings is told that some officials at the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly had expressed fears about the Inose scandal affecting 2020 Games preparations and the city’s image as an Olympic host.
Since succeeding his controversial predecessor Shintaro Ishihara as Tokyo governor, the writer-turned-politician had been a key figure in Tokyo 2020’s Olympic campaign.
With the Tokyo 2020 organising committee forming next month, Inose would have retained a significant say in preparations. But the scandal has removed him from the picture. His successor will be decided at elections expected in early February.
Privately, Tokyo 2020 leaders will be glad Inose has gone to avoid any questions around the bid campaign. Publicly, they thank the former governor for his contribution to the 2020 bid.
Japanese IOC member Tsunekazu Takeda said in a statement: "Mr Inose has been a fervent and enthusiast supporter of Tokyo's bid to host the Games, and I would like to thank him for his tireless efforts and contribution to Tokyo's successful bid campaign.
"The Japanese Olympic Committee will continue working closely together with senior officials from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the national government towards preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games," added the head of the Japanese Olympic Committee.
"Tokyo 2020's immediate focus remains firmly on finalising the establishment of the organizing committee to ensure the successful delivery of the Games."
The IOC said in a statement sent to ATR: "We thank governor Inose for his work on the Tokyo 2020 project and we look forward to working with the new governor for the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games.
"This change in leadership at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will not affect the preparations for the Games."
Reported by Mark Bisson
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