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| Japanese Olympian turned MP denies sexually harassing skater at Sochi party | Japanese Olympian turned MP denies sexually harassing skater at Sochi party |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Japan's most celebrated Olympic athlete turned politician has denied sexually harassing a popular ice skater in a scandal that could embarrass the prime minister, Shinzo Abe, as he attempts to promote the role of women in public life. | Japan's most celebrated Olympic athlete turned politician has denied sexually harassing a popular ice skater in a scandal that could embarrass the prime minister, Shinzo Abe, as he attempts to promote the role of women in public life. |
| Seiko Hashimoto, who represented Japan in speed skating at four winter Games and track cycling at three summer Games before becoming a Liberal Democratic party (LDP) politician, denied any wrongdoing after a magazine printed images of her making apparently unwanted advances towards Daisuke Takahashi during a party after Winter Olympics in Sochi in February. | |
| Hashimoto, 49, a speed skating bronze medallist in 1992, was appointed Japan's chef de mission in Sochi, with Takahashi – whose fans call him the "prince on ice" – representing the country at figure skating. | |
| Hashimoto, who was elected as a LDP member of the upper house in 1995, claimed she had simply shown Takahashi the same affection she would other athletes, who often "hug and kiss each other very naturally". | Hashimoto, who was elected as a LDP member of the upper house in 1995, claimed she had simply shown Takahashi the same affection she would other athletes, who often "hug and kiss each other very naturally". |
| She added: "If this invited misunderstanding from other people, I regret it and think I should be careful." | She added: "If this invited misunderstanding from other people, I regret it and think I should be careful." |
| Her alleged behaviour has drawn accusations that she abused her position as head of the Japan Skating Federation. | Her alleged behaviour has drawn accusations that she abused her position as head of the Japan Skating Federation. |
| "All athletes and officials [in Sochi] had respect and gratitude towards Mr Takahashi and I have no further particular feelings [towards him]," she said. | "All athletes and officials [in Sochi] had respect and gratitude towards Mr Takahashi and I have no further particular feelings [towards him]," she said. |
| Hashimoto, who campaigned successfully for childcare facilities for MPs, has been touted for possible promotion to Abe's cabinet next month. He has promised to increase female representation in senior positions over the next six years. | Hashimoto, who campaigned successfully for childcare facilities for MPs, has been touted for possible promotion to Abe's cabinet next month. He has promised to increase female representation in senior positions over the next six years. |
| Shukan Bunshun, which published the photographs, described the encounter as "unprecedented", claiming the MP had forced Takahashi to let her kiss him repeatedly. | Shukan Bunshun, which published the photographs, described the encounter as "unprecedented", claiming the MP had forced Takahashi to let her kiss him repeatedly. |
| "Hashimoto is the supreme figure in the [Japanese] skating world," the magazine said, adding that the encounter could be described as "power harassment or sexual harassment". | "Hashimoto is the supreme figure in the [Japanese] skating world," the magazine said, adding that the encounter could be described as "power harassment or sexual harassment". |
| Takahashi, an Olympic bronze medallist in 2010, has not lodged a formal complaint against Hashimoto, according to his agent. "Takahashi does not think he was a victim of power or sexual harassment," the agent was quoted as saying. | Takahashi, an Olympic bronze medallist in 2010, has not lodged a formal complaint against Hashimoto, according to his agent. "Takahashi does not think he was a victim of power or sexual harassment," the agent was quoted as saying. |
| Shukan Bunshun, the bestselling of a crop of Japanese weeklies that mix serious and salacious content, quoted an unnamed witness as saying that Hashimoto had "pounced" on Takahashi at an alcohol-fuelled party at the athletes' village in Sochi. | Shukan Bunshun, the bestselling of a crop of Japanese weeklies that mix serious and salacious content, quoted an unnamed witness as saying that Hashimoto had "pounced" on Takahashi at an alcohol-fuelled party at the athletes' village in Sochi. |
| The report will also have caused disquiet at the Japan Olympic Committee, where Hashimoto, who has appeared at more Games than any other Japanese athlete, serves as head of development. | The report will also have caused disquiet at the Japan Olympic Committee, where Hashimoto, who has appeared at more Games than any other Japanese athlete, serves as head of development. |
| Officials overseeing preparations for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 had been hoping for a trouble-free runup to those Games, following criticism of the cost of hosting the event and of the design of the planned main stadium. | Officials overseeing preparations for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 had been hoping for a trouble-free runup to those Games, following criticism of the cost of hosting the event and of the design of the planned main stadium. |