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Japan to watch WHO probe of director's alleged racism, abuse

30 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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Kasai denied the allegations.

Usually if they get caught instead denying, they'll say have no recollection on that.

He refuses to bow that really not Japanese, he'll be fired soon.

19 ( +22 / -3 )

Sure you can Elvis; you can do it just as LONG as you can GET AWAY with it.

"This is Japan".

14 ( +19 / -5 )

Leaving the international stage in disgrace, welcomed home as a martyr.

20 ( +25 / -5 )

Wouldn't be surprised to see him as the next health minister once the WHO disposes of him.

26 ( +30 / -4 )

if the allegations are proven to be true, the possible consequences include the termination of the WHO director's contract.

"possible consequences" ????????????

16 ( +19 / -3 )

watch the World Health Organization's investigation into staff complaints over racism and abuse by a top Japanese official 

Watch???? You mean get involved and sway the outcome with envelopes to save Japan's face....

12 ( +17 / -5 )

He probably forgot that he is not working for a Japanese company. Bad for him, but bowing, a dishonest 申し訳ございません will not fix this. Unfortunately, there are still way too many dinosaurs like him in Japan, who look down on foreigners.

26 ( +30 / -4 )

How cute! They are going to watch. They are going to watch this abusive and racist oyaji get the punishment he deserves. The abuse and racism might work in Japan, but it won’t fly on the international stage.

23 ( +28 / -5 )

Japan's government said Friday it will watch the World Health Organization's investigation into staff complaints over racism and abuse

The "expert panels" convened by the government for such reviews always come to the conclusion that absolves the authorities.

It has been seen with immigration abuses and the ongoing effects of Fukushima.

"What was done wrong? We were just following the rules."

12 ( +17 / -5 )

Japan’s ‘unique’ & “successful” responses to the pandemic? Not only WHO but WHY and HOW are important questions. - Perhaps, layer by layer, the onion is now being peeled? :

- “the AP found WHO staffers alleged that Dr. Takeshi Kasai, the top director in the Western Pacific, engaged in behavior, undermining WHO's efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic,” -

*Japan's PM's office denied that the J government inappropriately received sensitive vaccine information from Kasai that he allegedly obtained by abusing his position**.*

6 ( +13 / -7 )

chinpo wo sasageyoToday  07:07 am JST

Wouldn't be surprised to see him as the next health minister once the WHO disposes of him.

I would think more special adviser to the PMs office, or cabinet, health ministry, probably labour stands or the foreign affairs diplomacy field.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

These are serious allegations that require Dr. Takeshi Kasai be suspended with immediate affect from his current role.

And cautioned that any attempt to contact WHO staffers will be treated a failure, without legal excuse, up until the investigation is fully concluded.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Of course, they would say that; this is potentially very very damaging for Japan's future prospects of being involved in the leadership of charity organisations.

Japan doesn't even promote the concept of charity amongst their younger generation let alone in general, so I don't think this will affect them very much. I don't hear of students here being actively involved in charity work at schools - no clothing or toy drive, bake sale etc.

As for Kasai, well I hope he gets his comeuppance. His unethical behavior might be par for the course in a typical Japanese office but it won't fly in an international one. Employees know their rights and will exercise them.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Kasai is based in the Philippines where these allegations have originated from.

Undermining the WHO'S managers in Asia and using social media and allegations to change the status .

The pandemic being the perfect opportunity to make changes that benefit the west and further downtrodding Japan and China .

Forcing everyone to receive their vaccines and accept western culture and technology.

-20 ( +2 / -22 )

Wouldn't be surprised to see him as the next health minister once the WHO disposes of him.

He seems like the type that would be Japan's Olympic chief.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Snowymountainhell -

Try commenting after you have reposted the above paragraphs that you are referring to.

You can observe how most of the other commenters will share thier opinions below after they have posted the paragraphs they are referring to above.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

Important for JT readers to know more details of his racist language and attacks. Reports in Japan are too filtered.

https://www.npr.org/2022/01/27/1076056335/who-staffers-accused-western-pacific-director-of-racism-and-abuse

11 ( +14 / -3 )

Japan's government said Friday it will watch the World Health Organization's investigation into staff complaints over racism 

Which basically means that the J-government will do absolutely nothing against that muppet because many of the Nippon Kaigi oyaji have the exact same view as that racist.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

« Recordings obtained by the AP also showed that Kasai, who heads a vast region that includes China and Japan, made derogatory remarks about his staff based on nationality during meetings. 

Kasai denied the allegations. »

Does Mr Kasai know what a recording is ? Gotcha, man.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

"In an email to staff this week, Kasai said he was "committed to listening openly, thinking carefully about how I can improve, and making changes that will ensure a positive work environment." 

Joke of the week. Oh I'll change. I'll be good from now on. Words said on the way to the gallows.

WHO needs to part company with this character.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Having had worked for a U.N. agency, I can say that this kind of behavior is not uncommon. Rarely does anyone in top management position get disciplined or fired for their bad behavior - unless there is enough media coverage and public outcry.

And even then it could take a long time to actually do something. In part because everything has to be investigated thoroughly - or at least appear so. And opportunity given to staff to revise their recollection in case they want to continue to have a career in the U.N.

I would not be surprised if Dr Kasai lands a cushy post elsewhere within the UN system or Japanese government.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

A WHO scientist who worked on COVID-19 vaccination in Asia told the AP that Kasai shared data with Japan so that the government could decide how to donate doses to its regional neighbors for a political advantage. The staffer, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation, said Kasai also pressured WHO personnel to prioritize vaccine donations from Japan over the U.N.-backed COVAX effort.

https://www.npr.org/2022/01/27/1076056335/who-staffers-accused-western-pacific-director-of-racism-and-abuse

Yeah, I remember when Japan was so adamant about donating doses abroad before they initiated the roll out in Japan. I and others mentioned the attempt at soft power they were trying to display to the world.

Thank you, Dr. Kasai. We now know that part of that was your handy work!

Among the most damning claims is that Kasai made "racist and derogatory remarks to staff of certain nationalities." The internal complaint filed to WHO alleges that Kasai once aggressively questioned a Filipino staffer during a coronavirus meeting, saying: "How many people in the Pacific have you killed so far and how many more do you want to kill further?" The complaint said he then asked "if she was incapable of delivering good presentations because she was Filipina."

My conversations with older Japanese people have shown me some of the logic here. According to the people that I have conversated (some quite ignorant) with, they believe that the countries that they defeated and occupied during WWII as inferior cultures. Their victories was evidence of that argument. That also includes the same cultures or races that their German counterparts considered inferior. So imagine how these ultraconservatives and some just uninformed old folks feel knowing that they were defeated by the Allies that consisted of POC from various cultures.

In one conversation about WWII, this Japanese oyaji in his late 60s now said, "I am superior because I am Japanese and one of my grandparents were German" as a jab to the others in the conversation.

I had to remind him that others could also see it as being a "two-time loser".

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Numan wrote:

In one conversation about WWII, this Japanese oyaji in his late 60s now said, "I am superior because I am Japanese and one of my grandparents were German" as a jab to the others in the conversation.

I had to remind him that others could also see it as being a "two-time loser"

Though I do understand your point and I basically agree in all what you’re saying allow me to tel you this.

I’m a double,my mother is German (West Germany back then) and father Italian.

But I do not consider myself a “double loser”

On the contraire,I feel a double blessed that the allied could defeat such monsters like Hitler and Mussolini,these dictatorships were not only responsible in killing millions of innocent people but also killing it’s own men send them to a senseless war agression in the name of foolishness “superiority “

And that my two countries grew and prospered thanks to the Marshal plan and the humanity of the allied forces.

I’m proud to be German and Italian and for our ancient history but not proud for that horrible portion of history which we should always apologize.

Furthermore I’m proud about the anti-fascist constitution.

So these oyaji which were small kids or even not born during the war should think twice before thinking themselves “superior”

Apologizing and realizing that we make mistakes it is the greatest form of maturity.

Japan situation in general is preoccupying,with a far right government which is basically brainwashing it’s people and keep this sensless mantra of superiority.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

@William77

Though I do understand your point and I basically agree in all what you’re saying allow me to tel you this.

It is all about context and difference between your situation and the oyaji. The oyaji and our group was discussing WWII. His argument for his superiority were based on his culture's (dual) accomplishments during WWII and not for the other aspects that comprise his dual culture's identity. There was no remorse for the actions of both countries but for losing the war and how glorious Japan would have been if they won. Though I suspect Germany would have double crossed Japan once the Allies were defeated, and Germany's nuclear bomb project was complete.

If you go to Hibiya park, at main entrance across from Tokyo Midtown Hibiya there is large flower garden surrounded by benches to your left. Around that flower garden is an oddly place gazebo like structure that does not make much logical sense for being there until you walk through it.

On the other side is a statute hidden directly behind it. From most angles in the park, it is almost impossible to see it. That gazebo structure hides from all visitors. It is a statue of Romulus and Remus suckling their wolf mother. The statute with a plaque is commemorating the alliance of Japan, Nazi Germany, and Italy during WWII.

Like I said, "undercurrent"!

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Typical Japanese bully…it is so sad to witness this type of behavior in my workplace or in stores in my neighborhood.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The sad thing is that the wrong person in power can ruin everything. That does not have to be. Not at all.

I briefly worked for a Japanese industrial company in my youth and there was no bullying of any kind. There was mostly praise for the work we did. University was a bit different. Fortunately, the bad apples were "retired."

Without that alleged bad apple, WHO could be a decent place.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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