Nagoya Mayor’s Gold‑Medal Giggle Turns Into Public Scene‑S
There’s nothing more oddly dramatic than a mayor leaping into Olympic history by cheek‑ing a gold medal in plain sight. On Thursday, Nagoya’s top brass, Takashi Kawamura, made headlines (and social media outrage) when he baited the shiny cup of Miu Goto, the Japanese softball ace who stole the gold during the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The Incident in a Nutshell
- During a press event marked by a hand‑washing reminder to curb COVID‑19, the mayor removed his mask and put Goto’s medal between his teeth.
- The act, caught live on camera, was dubbed a “germ medal” by Twitter users—wordplay that rode on the homophone of “gold” in Japanese.
- Even the official Tokyo2020 account tried to ease the sting with a light‑hearted tweet saying, “Medals are not edible.”
Toyota’s Take and the Mayor’s Apology
When the media scrutiny hit, Toyota Motor Corp—owner of the Red Terriers softball squad—stepped up to voice their discontent. In a statement that felt like a stern parent’s lecture, Toyota said:
“It is unfortunate our mayor showed a lack of respect for the athlete, and it’s extremely regrettable that he neglected basic infection‑prevention protocols,” Toyota declared.
Following the internal pressure and the company’s public comment, Kawamura appeared on TV to apologize. The mayor admitted he had forgotten his own position as Nagoya’s chief and confessed to “acting in an extremely inappropriate way.” He promised to reflect on his behavior.
Why This Is More Than a Bad Joke
- Mask‑wearing and hand hygiene are daily norms in Japan, especially amid a rising Delta variant wave.
- Nagoya sits at the heart of a region where Toyota’s influence is vast; the mayor’s misstep ripples through local industry.
- Kawamura’s past controversies—like attempting to shut down a memorial for WWII “comfort women”—add a shade of extra notoriety to his mishap.
The Bottom Line
While biting an Olympic medal isn’t new (athletes sometimes chew bright trophies for a quick thrill), doing so publicly—especially when it strays from the standards of respect and health—creates a storm. The Nagoya mayor’s “gold‑gleam” prank has become a cautionary tale: show a medal or not? Either way, keep the back of your tongue in check when you’re chewing history.
