Canceling 2020 Games is an option, says official
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A SENIOR Japanese ruling party official said yesterday that canceling this year’s Olympics in Tokyo remains an option if the coronavirus crisis becomes too dire, as a surge in cases renews concerns about the Games with less than 100 days to go.
The Tokyo Olympics Organizing Committee responded with a statement saying all those involved in preparing for the Games remained fully focused on hosting them in the summer.
“If it seems impossible (to host the Olympics) any more, then we have to stop it, decisively,” Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, said in comments to broadcaster TBS. Cancellation is “of course” an option, he said, adding: “If the Olympics were to spread infection, then what are the Olympics for?”
The comments were quickly dismissed by an unnamed LDP official, who told the Jiji news agency: “The Games will not be canceled.”
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said she had “been told that the comment meant it is an option.”
“I take it as a message of strong encouragement that we contain the coronavirus by all means,” she said.
Japan is grappling with rising COVID-19 infections, with new cases in Tokyo jumping to 729 yesterday, the most since early February. Tokyo, Osaka and several other prefectures entered a quasi-state of emergency this month, asking bars and restaurants to shorten their hours.
Still, the government is pushing ahead with preparations incorporating social distancing measures and other restrictions for the postponed Games, which are set to begin on July 23 and will be held without international spectators. A scaled-back torch relay is already underway.
Taro Kono, the government minister in charge of Japan’s vaccine rollout, said even if the Olympics go on, there may be no fans of any kind in the venues.
“I think the question is how to do the Olympics in a way that is possible in this situation,” Kono said on a television talk show. “That may mean there will probably be no spectators.”
Kono did not suggest the Olympics would not go ahead, but he said they could be held under only “certain conditions.”
“The way these Olympics will be held will be very different from past ones,” he said.
Tokyo organizers have said they expect to announce a decision this month on the number of fans allowed into each venue.
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