A panel to pick Mori's replacement, set up by the organizing committee, met on Tuesday.

Yoshiro Mori initially apologized following sexist comments but refused to step away, which was followed by relentless pressure from television pundits, sponsors, and an on-line petition

The move follows his sexist comments about women more than a week ago, and an ensuing and rare public debate in Japan about gender equality.

Mori made derogatory comments about women almost a week ago in a meeting of the Japanese Olympic Committee.

Mori was reported saying women talk too much in an on-line meeting

Tokyo Olympics: These include quarantines for athletes, and few fans at the venues among ideas being floated by the organising committee, the city of Tokyo, and the IOC