Godo Taro Administrative Reform Award. Tokyo AP/Yonhap News
Japan’s Minister of Administrative Reform, Taro Kono, mentioned the possibility of canceling the Tokyo Olympics for the first time among Japanese ministers in an interview with foreign media. In an interview with the news agency on the 14th, Kono said about the Tokyo Olympics, “At this point we need to do our best to prepare for the competition, but this (Olympic) can go either way.” The news agency reported that the Japanese minister said that the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled for this summer, may not be held as planned. Citing an interview with the news agency, Kono reported on the 16th that it was the first Japanese cabinet member to mention the possibility of canceling the Tokyo Olympics. The Japanese government and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are sticking to hosting the Olympics despite the recent spread of Corona 19. Foreign media also reported by citing the remarks of Kono. The French daily newspaper reported that Japanese ministers had commented on the possibility that the Olympics would not be held. Euro Sports, a sports broadcasting station, also reported that “the Japanese minister admitted that’anything can happen’.” “The New York Times and Bloomberg News also said, “(Olympic) is likely to be rushing to the first stop after World War II.” The Tokyo Olympics were originally scheduled to be held in July of last year, but it was postponed for one year due to the spread of Corona 19 around the world. While the recent corona spread has not subsided, 80% of respondents in a Japanese poll said that they “must cancel or postpone the Tokyo Olympics”. By Kim So-yeon, staff reporter [email protected]