In recent weeks, concern has arisen over the rising coronavirus cases in Japan. However, Japan’s prime minister has said that the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will take place in spite of that.
“The games will be held this summer and they will be safe and secure”, said prime minister Yoshihide Suga this Friday.
The Olympic Games are scheduled to start on 23 July, while the Paralympic Games are scheduled to start on 24 August.
Throughout 2020, Japan was praised for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in recent days there has been a sharp increase in the number of infections. Now, Tokyo is reporting over 1,000 daily cases for the first time.
On December 31, 1,337 new cases were reported in Tokyo, a record number.
This adverse situation coupled with the fact that many of the cases correspond to the new variant of coronavirus first found in the UK is causing much concern.
Important figures such as Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike have made much less optimistic statements. Koike said that the number of infections could “explode”.
Neither the organising committee nor the Japanese government are facing an easy situation. Costs have increased sharply and the Japanese general public oppose holding the Games in 2021, advocating for a further delay or outright cancelation.
