Composer for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for the opening and closing ceremonies apologizes for “bullying confessions” regarding disabled people

By Barrier Free Japan with extracts From Nikkan Sports via Yahoo! Japan

July 17 2021

TOKYO – Keigo Oyamada also known as Cornelius, 52, who worked on the music for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics and whose past “bullying confessions” were announced after his appointment has apologized for his past behaviour.

In his apology, Oyamada wrote: “As has been pointed out, it is true that in past magazine interviews, I have spoken without remorse about my unkind remarks and actions toward my classmates as well as people with disabilities at nearby schools when I was a student, and I sincerely believe that it is natural for me to be criticized. I sincerely believe that I deserve to be blamed.”

Oyamada confessed to two magazines that he bullied during his school days. In the January 1994 issue of the Japanese music magazine “Rocking On Japan,” he wrote, “I would make him naked, wrap a string around him, and make him masturbate. I’d make them eat shit.” In the August ’95 issue of the subculture magazine “Quick Japan,” he revealed without any guilt the many ways in which he bullied Mr. A and Mr. B, both of whom have disabilities. In the August 1995 issue of “Quick Japan,” he made fun of a Down Syndrome student at a special needs school.