Japanese mayor who bit an Olympian's gold medal has reportedly offered to forfeit $13,000 of pay as punishment

A Japanese mayor who sparked backlash when he bit an Olympian's gold medal has reportedly offered to be penalized with a three-month pay cut.

The incident occurred at a victory event earlier this month after the Japanese women's softball players' win against Team USA.

The event saw Takashi Kawamura, the mayor of Nagoya, pull down his mask and chomp on a gold medal, which belonged to Miu Goto - a player on the team.

The 72-year-old mayor's actions reportedly attracted over 7,000 complaints to city authorities, BBC News reports.

The mayor also received a great deal of criticism online for showing a lack of respect towards the athlete - particularly as the world is still in the middle of a pandemic.

According to the outlet, Japanese silver medallist fencer Yuki Ota slammed Kawamura on Twitter, writing: "Apart from showing a lack of respect for athletes, he bit it even though [athletes] are putting on medals themselves or on their team-mates during medal ceremonies as part of infection prevention measures. Sorry, I can't understand it."

What's more, the country's leading car manufacturer Toyota, also the owner of the softball team, slammed Kawamura's behavior as "inappropriate" and "extremely regrettable."

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Now, according to Japanese news agency Kyodo News, Kawamura has stated that he is prepared to forfeit a whole three months' pay amounting to 1.5 million yen ($13,000) in order to make amends for his conduct earlier this month.

"I feel morally responsible," he said at a news conference, per the outlet.

"I disgraced the occasion and offended Goto and the Japanese people," Kawamura added as he bowed apologetically.

He has also reportedly received training on harassment after the controversial incident.

However, Kawamura ruled out a potential resignation, saying he "wants to continue serving the citizens of Nagoya."

Tokyo 2020 organizers previously announced in a statement that Goto would be receiving a replacement medal and that the International Olympic Committee would cover the costs.

"With support from the International Olympic Committee and in line with her own intention, Ms. Goto's medal is now set to be exchanged for a new one," the statement read, per Reuters.

Featured image credit: MoiraM / Alamy