Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara apologized Tuesday for his remark that the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami last week represented "divine punishment" of the Japanese people who have been tainted with egoism.
"I will take back (the remark) and offer a deep apology," Ishihara said, adding that he should have thought about the feelings of the victims.
Miyagi Gov. Yoshihiro Murai showed displeasure with Ishihara, telling reporters he hopes the Tokyo governor will consider the people affected by the disaster.
"Japanese politics is tainted with egoism and populism. We need to use tsunami to wipe out egoism, which has rusted onto the mentality of Japanese over a long period of time," Ishihara, who is seeking re-election for a fourth term on April 10, told reporters Monday. "I think (the disaster) is 'tembatsu' (divine punishment), although I feel sorry for disaster victims."