US Cosmetic Surgery Academy expels Japanese surgeon over praise of Nazism
The Simon Wiesenthal Center said the doctor's tweets "violate all norms of decency."
By TAMARA ZIEVEThe entrance of the former German Nazi concentration camp in Dachau near Munich, Germany.(photo credit: REUTERS)
The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery has expelled Japanese surgeon Dr. Katsuya Takasu, after social media posts in which he praised Nazism resurfaced over the summer.The posts, which were made two years ago, were brought to light by the Simon Wiesenthal Center which urged the Academy to terminate the membership of the prominent surgeon, charging that they "violate all norms of decency and reveal a person who is a racist antisemite and outright lover of Nazism.”As well as being a high-profile member of the academy, Takasu is also a well-known media personality in Japan.In the offending tweets, Takasu spoke of “how great Nazism was,” later explaining that he meant it in relation to the progress made in German medicine under the Nazi regime. “There is no doubt that the Jews were persecuted. But we only know it from hearsay and all of it is based on information from the Allies. Aren’t we acting the same as the Chinese people who believe in the Nanjing Massacre? I only want to know the truth,” another tweet reads.“I think both the Nanjing and Auschwitz are fabrications,” he stated in another.The Simon Wiesenthal Center released a statement Thursday, announcing that the academy had terminated Takasu's membership and praising it for the decision.“We were informed that the AACS launched its own independent investigation,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Associate Dean and Director of Social Action Agenda. “We have now received a letter that said in part, '…after considering the recommendations of the JAC [the Academy’s Judicial Affairs Council] the Board determined Dr. Katsuya Takasu engaged in 'Conduct Subject to Discipline' as defined in AACS’s Bylaws, and, in accordance therewith, terminated his AACS membership.'” “The AACS has acted appropriately in holding Takasu accountable for his public bigotry. We hope others will follow suit,” Rabbi Cooper concluded.
