Japan complains about Olympic cartoons in French newspaper

The fallout over Tokyo hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics has begun. So to speak.

A satirical French newspaper called Le Canard enchaine has published cartoons that reference both the Games and radioactive leaks at the tsunami-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant.

One cartoon shows a pair of sumo wrestlers with extra arms and legs. They are wrestling in front of the plant while a commentator says: “Thanks to Fukushima, sumo wrestling is now an Olympic sport.”

Another cartoon shows two people in protective gear inspecting an Olympic pool with their Geiger counter.

Japan has issued a formal complaint, saying the cartoons “hurt the feelings of those who suffered through the Great East Japan Earthquake.”

The 2011 quake and tsunami caused massive devastation, including a meltdown at Fukushima. Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, criticized the cartoons.

“It is inappropriate and gives a wrong impression of the Fukushima contaminated water issue,” Suga was quoted as saying by insidethegames.biz. “It is extremely regrettable.”

The International Olympic Committee awarded the Games to Tokyo last weekend, choosing the capital city over two other finalists, Madrid and Istanbul.

ALSO:

NASCAR’s Chase controversy: Is there more drama to come?

Nebraska ‘owes’ Bruins, Coach Bo Pelini reportedly tells players

Ex-Tiger Charles Barkley: Johnny Manziel might make me root for Tide