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

By MARI YAMAGUCHI and JAMEY KEATEN
Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s government says it will watch the World Health Organization’s probe into staff complaints over racism and abuse by a top Japanese official but denied it inappropriately received sensitive vaccine information from him. An Associated Press investigation this week found WHO staffers alleged that Dr. Takeshi Kasai, the U.N. health agency’s top director in the Western Pacific, engaged in unethical, racist and abusive behavior, undermining their efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic, according to an internal complaint filed last October. In Geneva, France’s mission said the consequences could include possible termination of the WHO director’s contract if the racism and abuse allegations are proven to be true. WHO says it’s taking action, but didn’t offer details.