Japanese mayor who bit Olympic athlete’s medal offers to take a three month pay cut

JAPAN – Takashi Kawamura, the mayor of Nagoya who reportedly pulled his face mask down and bit softball pitcher Miu Goto’s Olympics gold medal will be taking a three-month pay cut.

His unsavoury act sparked a flurry of concern and outrage among netizens, with many deeming it disrespectful and unhygienic as Japan grapples with soaring COVID-19 cases.

Takashi Kawamura also made an inappropriate comment by advising Goto to “marry a nice guy”.

CNN reported that the Nagoya City Hall received over 8,000 complaints over his actions.

A costly bite

Following the fiasco, Kawamura offered to forfeit his salary for the next three months to reedem himself, reported Asahi Shimbun.

The mayor receives 500,000 yen (RM19,230) salary per month. Therefore, his bite will cost him about 1.5 million yen (RM57,730) in total.

Kawamura also offered to pay to replace the medal but was rejected by Japan’s Olympics Committe. Instead, the committee decided to exchange Goto’s medal for free.

“The committee, however, wouldn’t accept a donation made for political purposes,” he said in a press conference.

Kawamura: “I feel morally responsible“

During another press conference, Kawamura expressed deep remorse and apologised for his blunder.

“I’ve disgusted our citizens and caused more trouble for Goto as she was unwillingly thrust into the spotlight.

“I would like to apologize to them as much as I can,” he said.

Kawamura also added that he will not be stepping down over the matter, adding that he “wants to continue serving the citizens of Nagoya.”

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