(Tokyo AP = Yonhap News) On the 19th, pedestrians are passing in front of the posters for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
(Tokyo = Yonhap News) Correspondent Park Se-jin Lee Se-won = The Japanese government denied reports that it internally decided to cancel the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games, which were once postponed from July to September this year due to a novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19).
Japan’s Ministry of Defense Minister Sakai Manabu responded at a regular press conference on the day that the Japanese government made an internal conclusion that the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics was inevitable, and “I want to definitively deny that there is no such fact.” did.
He said, “The Japanese government is now uniting and preparing for the success of the event,” he said to the point that questions are growing in foreign countries about hosting the Olympics.
Deputy Minister Sakai, a deputy spokesman for the Japanese government, emphasized, “At what stage, of course, we will judge whether or not the event will be held, but until then, of course, we will properly prepare what the Japanese government will do and proceed.”
He also denied reports that the Japanese government aims to host the 2032 Olympics instead of canceling this year’s Olympics.
Earlier, the British daily newspaper’The Times’ cited an anonymous Japanese ruling party official on the 21st (local time) and concluded that the Japanese government should cancel the Tokyo Olympics and aims to host the 2032 event (re-attract). Told.
In response, the event organizer also stated that “the Japanese government, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the organizing committee, and all related organizations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are concentrating on hosting the event this summer.”
In addition, Seiko Hashimoto, the Minister in charge of the Olympic Games, said at a press conference held on the same day, “I want to reliably promote the preparation of the competition. I will do my best to hold it this summer.”
Regarding The Times report, Mr. Hashimoto said, “I didn’t know there was such a report.”
Prime Minister Suga repeated the answer to the inquiries from the representatives of each party held at the House of Representatives the day before and on the 22nd, saying, “We will work closely with the IOC to prepare to hold the Olympics as evidence that mankind has overcome the novel corona.” .
IOC Chairman Thomas Bach also said in a video interview with Kyodo News on the 21st, “There is no reason to believe that the Tokyo Olympics will not start at the Tokyo Stadium on July 23rd,” and that he will devote himself to a safe and successful performance. Assistant: Correspondent Sakiko Murata)
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2021/01/22 14:00 sent