Major Japanese Newspaper Calls For Cancellation of Tokyo Olympics
One of Japan’s largest newspapers, the Asahi Shimbun, has called on the Japanese government to cancel this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising cases of Coronavirus across the country. In its editorial, the newspaper called on Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to cancel the Games, since a state of emergency is already in effect in Tokyo, and is likely to be extended.
According to polls, as much as 80% of the citizens of Tokyo want the Olympic Games canceled, out of fear of greater spread of COVID-19 and out of concern that attention to the Games will draw away from fighting the pandemic. Tokyo, among other cities, has recently experience spikes in COVID-19 cases, and fewer than four percent of the country is vaccinated.
“We don’t think it makes sense to hold the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo this summer,” the newspaper wrote in its editorial, according to Inside the Games. “The distrust and opposition to the rushing Government, capital and Olympic officials is only widespread, without trying to address people’s natural questions and concerns. We urge Prime Minister Suga to calmly and objectively assess the surrounding situation and decide to cancel the event this summer.”
The International Olympic Committee has repeatedly stated that it can host a safe Games and is taking precautions to ensure that athletes, coaches, officials and media are able to compete and work without fear of becoming infected by COVID-19.
Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department placed a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory on Japan, citing the nation’s increase in COVID cases.