Tag Archives: embassy

French TV host under fire after "Fukushima effect" joke about Japan goalkeeper

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French TV host under fire after making 'Fukushima effect' joke about Japan goalkeeper

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UPDATED:

12:28 GMT, 16 October 2012

Japan has reacted angrily to a French television host who showed a composite picture of national team goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima with four arms and made a joke about the 'Fukushima effect'.

Praising Kawashima's performance in Japan's 1-0 win over France in a friendly on Friday, Laurent Ruquier's ill-advised jibe prompted laughter and applause in the studio.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura called Ruquier's remark, a reference to last year's nuclear crisis in Fukushima, 'inappropriate'.

'Inappropriate': The image of Japan stopper Eiji Kawashima on French TV

'Inappropriate': The image of Japan stopper Eiji Kawashima on French TV

He added that the Japanese Embassy in France had sent a letter of protest to the television station France 2.

The letter said the remark 'hurts the feelings of people affected by the disaster and hinders efforts for reconstruction,' Fujimura added.

The nuclear disaster was triggered by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami in March last year.

Winners: Japan beat France 1-0 on Friday night

Winners: Japan beat France 1-0 on Friday night

More than 15,000 people died and almost 3,000 are still unaccounted for.

Japan's education minister Makiko Tanaka, whose portfolio also includes sports, was far from amused. “

'If it's true (he said it) it is behaviour which lacks sensitivity,' she said.

'Many people were hurt in the nuclear crisis. I don't know how people can make fun of it.'

London 2012 Olympics: Saudi Arabia allow female athletes to compete

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Saudi Arabia allow females to compete at Olympics after threat of gender bias ban

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UPDATED:

19:31 GMT, 25 June 2012

Saudi Arabia will allow women to compete under their flag in the Olympic Games for the first time this summer.

Showjumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas will become their first ever female competitor after the nation was threatened with being banned.

Olympics bosses said the country could be disqualified for gender discrimination after it appeared to block female athletes from taking part.

Winner: Showjumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas will become Saudi Arabia's first ever female competitor after the nation was threatened with being banned

Winner: Showjumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas will become Saudi Arabia's first ever female competitor after the nation was threatened with being banned

But the Saudi embassy told the BBC its Olympic Committee would now 'oversee participation of women athletes who can qualify'.

The decision, supported by Saudi ruler King Abdullah, was taken earlier this month.

But an announcement was reportedly delayed due to the death of Crown Prince Nayef, the heir to the throne.

Women's participation in sport has long been met with opposition in the desert kingdom.

Discrimination: The group Human Rights Watch reported that at a recent marathon event in Saudi Arabia women were only allowed to compete if they wore the abaya - a black robe that covers teh body head to toe

Changes: The Saudi embassy said its Olympic Committee would now 'oversee participation of women athletes who can qualify'

'It's very sensitive,' a senior Saudi official told the broadcaster.

'King Abdullah is trying to initiate reform in a subtle way, by finding the right balance between going too fast or too slow.

'For example, he allowed the participation of women in the Shura council (an advisory body) so the Olympic decision is part of an ongoing process, it's not isolated.'

Malhas is expected to be the only female Saudi competitor at Olympic standard, but others could now compete.

If selected, their outfits would most likely comprise loose-fitting garments and a 'sports hijab', a scarf covering the hair but not the face.

Missing out: The deeply conservative nation is in talks over the 'practicalities' of including women in their team

Missing out: The deeply conservative nation was in talks over the 'practicalities' of including women in their team

The announcement comes after Olympics minister Hugh Robertson said he had no power to intervene if Saudi Arabia blocked female athletes from competing in London.

In April he said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was 'working on the issue' to 'try to find a way so that some Saudi women are able to compete'.

He said: 'You are always balancing the conservative elements in Saudi Arabia against those who want to reach out.

'But of course I would very much like to see Saudi women competing in London.'