Comedy duo apologises for inappropriate remarks about Naomi Osaka
A Japanese comedy duo and their management company have apologised after the pair reportedly said during a live event that Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka, who just won the Pan Pacific Open at the weekend, "needed some bleach".
Japanese media said the duo, known as "A Masso", made the remark during a Sunday event, the same day that Osaka lifted her first trophy since winning the Australian Open in January, and also said that "she is too sunburned".
Osaka, who will turn 22 next month, was born in Japan to a Haitian father and Japanese mother, but moved to the United States when she was young.
In separate messages carried on the website of their management company, Watanabe Entertainment Co Ltd, both women apologised for making "inappropriate, hurtful remarks", but did not refer to Osaka by name.
"Though we should have thought about it, we made remarks that hurt many people, something we will never do again," Ai Murakami wrote.
"We sincerely apologise for making the specific person feel uncomfortable, as well as for everyone else connected to the event. We also sincerely apologise for causing trouble."
Watanabe Entertainment, also without naming Osaka, added their own apology for "remarks inconsiderate of diversity in an era where diversity is respected", saying the duo had been severely warned.
Neither Watanabe Entertainment nor Naomi Osaka's management office in Japan was immediately available to comment. - REUTERS
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