Olympic sculpture at Odaiba Seaside Park, Tokyo. Tokyo/Reuters Yonhap News
The Japanese government said, “There is no such fact,” in response to reports by British media that internally decided to suspend the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for this summer due to the spread of Corona 19. Japanese Minister of Defense Sakai Manabu said at a regular press conference on the morning of the 22nd, “there is no such fact,” and “the government is preparing for the success of the tournament” about the British report on the’Stop the Olympics’. However, he said, “At some stage, a judgment will be made as to whether or not the actual event will be held,” he said. “Until then, the government will do what it has to do.” The event organizing committee also stated that “the Japanese government, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the organizing committee, and all related organizations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are focusing on hosting the event this summer.” Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto said, “I will do my best to hold this summer” at a press conference held after each meeting. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also responded to the inquiries from the representatives of each party held at the Middle and High Council on that day, saying, “I will prepare to hold the Olympics.” In a video interview with Thomas Bach, chairman of the International Olympic Committee on the 21st, he said, “There is no reason to believe that the Tokyo Olympics will not open at this time.” Prior to this, the UK reported on the 21st (local time) that the Japanese government had concluded that it would suspend the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for this July. The newspaper quoted a high-ranking official from the ruling party (LDP) in Japan, saying, “There is an agreement that it is difficult to hold the (Tokyo) Olympics, which have been delayed for a year.” There is” he said. This official stressed, “No one wants to say (declaration of suspension) first, but it is too difficult (within the Japanese government) to agree.” In Japan, the prospect that the Olympics will be held around March 25, when the torch relay begins, is predominant. The decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics last year was also made on March 24, four months before the competition. By Kim So-yeon, staff reporter [email protected]