<p>The panel charged with finding a new Tokyo Olympics chief after a sexism row began talks on Tuesday as campaigners called for more transparency in the selection process.</p>.<p>The eight-person committee convened for the first time to discuss choosing a successor to Yoshiro Mori, 83, who stepped down Friday after his claims that women talk too much in meetings sparked widespread outrage.</p>.<p>The panel "discussed the qualities required of a new president", according to Tokyo 2020 organisers, and agreed on five selection criteria.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-boss-resigns-over-sexism-row-but-successor-unclear-950424.html" target="_blank">Tokyo Olympics boss resigns over sexism row, but successor unclear</a></strong></p>.<p>But campaigners said the process should be made more transparent, with Games chiefs declining to identify the members of the panel, which was expected to have a 50-50 gender split.</p>.<p>The postponed 2020 Games are set to begin in July, with officials and organisers insisting they will go ahead despite doubts over the event's viability given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.</p>.<p>The formation of the new panel, headed by 85-year-old Canon CEO Fujio Mitarai, was announced Friday after Mori's reported attempts to hand-pick 84-year-old Saburo Kawabuchi as his successor were met with opposition.</p>.<p>"Now they say they won't reveal who the members are of the committee to choose the next chief," Kazuko Fukuda, a campaigner for women's sexual and reproductive rights, told AFP.</p>.<p>"So it's really like the whole process will take place in secret again."</p>.<p>Equality campaigners handed a petition with more than 150,000 signatures to Tokyo 2020 organisers on Tuesday morning, urging them to put concrete measures in place to prevent further discrimination.</p>.<p>The selection committee laid out five criteria for choosing a new president -- sporting knowledge, international experience, management skills, familiarity with the Tokyo Games organisation and "deep understanding" of Olympic principles, including "gender equality, diversity and inclusion".</p>.<p>The committee pledged to select candidates "as swiftly as possible", with local media suggesting a new president could be named before the end of the week.</p>.<p>Reports said Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto, Japanese Olympic Committee president Yasuhiro Yamashita and former hammer-thrower Koji Murofushi are among those in contention.</p>.<p>Hashimoto -- one of just two women in Japan's cabinet -- was reported as saying Tuesday that she had not been approached about taking over.</p>.<p>"It should be done with transparency," she said. "I hope we can get the new structure in place quickly."</p>.<p>Reports said the selection panel is expected to meet again on Wednesday to draw up a list of nominees.</p>.<p>The final choice must be endorsed by Tokyo 2020's executive board.</p>
<p>The panel charged with finding a new Tokyo Olympics chief after a sexism row began talks on Tuesday as campaigners called for more transparency in the selection process.</p>.<p>The eight-person committee convened for the first time to discuss choosing a successor to Yoshiro Mori, 83, who stepped down Friday after his claims that women talk too much in meetings sparked widespread outrage.</p>.<p>The panel "discussed the qualities required of a new president", according to Tokyo 2020 organisers, and agreed on five selection criteria.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-boss-resigns-over-sexism-row-but-successor-unclear-950424.html" target="_blank">Tokyo Olympics boss resigns over sexism row, but successor unclear</a></strong></p>.<p>But campaigners said the process should be made more transparent, with Games chiefs declining to identify the members of the panel, which was expected to have a 50-50 gender split.</p>.<p>The postponed 2020 Games are set to begin in July, with officials and organisers insisting they will go ahead despite doubts over the event's viability given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.</p>.<p>The formation of the new panel, headed by 85-year-old Canon CEO Fujio Mitarai, was announced Friday after Mori's reported attempts to hand-pick 84-year-old Saburo Kawabuchi as his successor were met with opposition.</p>.<p>"Now they say they won't reveal who the members are of the committee to choose the next chief," Kazuko Fukuda, a campaigner for women's sexual and reproductive rights, told AFP.</p>.<p>"So it's really like the whole process will take place in secret again."</p>.<p>Equality campaigners handed a petition with more than 150,000 signatures to Tokyo 2020 organisers on Tuesday morning, urging them to put concrete measures in place to prevent further discrimination.</p>.<p>The selection committee laid out five criteria for choosing a new president -- sporting knowledge, international experience, management skills, familiarity with the Tokyo Games organisation and "deep understanding" of Olympic principles, including "gender equality, diversity and inclusion".</p>.<p>The committee pledged to select candidates "as swiftly as possible", with local media suggesting a new president could be named before the end of the week.</p>.<p>Reports said Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto, Japanese Olympic Committee president Yasuhiro Yamashita and former hammer-thrower Koji Murofushi are among those in contention.</p>.<p>Hashimoto -- one of just two women in Japan's cabinet -- was reported as saying Tuesday that she had not been approached about taking over.</p>.<p>"It should be done with transparency," she said. "I hope we can get the new structure in place quickly."</p>.<p>Reports said the selection panel is expected to meet again on Wednesday to draw up a list of nominees.</p>.<p>The final choice must be endorsed by Tokyo 2020's executive board.</p>