TOKYO: Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said on July 13 that the Olympics must go ahead next year as a symbol of world unity in overcoming the novel coronavirus, despite Japan grappling with stubborn spikes in cases.

Japan has not seen an explosive coronavirus outbreak as endured by other countries, but a recent increase in cases in Tokyo, which accounts for more than a third of its more than 20,000 total, has increased worries about a second wave of infections.

The 2020 Olympics were scheduled to start this month but were postponed because of the coronavirus. Koike has pledged to win public support for the games, although a media survey showed a majority thinks they should be cancelled or postponed again.

“I want to host them as a symbol of the world coming together to overcome this tough situation and of strengthened bonds among humankind,” Koike said in an online interview.

She declined to specify a deadline for deciding if the games could go ahead.

Koike has won plaudits for her straight-talking handling of the COVID-19 outbreak in contrast to what critics called Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe’s, clumsy response.

She was re-elected by a landslide last week, reigniting talk that she has a shot at becoming Japan’s first woman prime minister.

On July 13, she sought to brush such speculation aside.

“I’m happy that people have hopes for me but I received support for a second term as governor,” she said.

“I want to protect the lives and health of the people of Tokyo by addressing the immediate issue of policies for the coronavirus. That is my greatest mission.”

Tokyo’s jump in COVID-19 cases comes as Abe’s government prepares to launch a campaign to promote domestic tourism, but that has raised concern about spreading the virus outside the capital.

Koike said it was important to contain the virus and revive the slumping economy.

“At present, a tough situation continues but… by taking a proper response in Tokyo, I want to advance both the prevention of infections and social and economic activity,” she said.

Tokyo accounts for about 20 percent of Japan’s economy.

Koike, who clashed with Abe’s administration over the timing of a state of emergency, and over which businesses to target for shutdowns, said she wanted greater clarity on local governments’ authority during the crisis.

A veteran member of parliament, before defying Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to make her 2016 bid for governor, Koike also wants to make the metropolis a global financial centre by luring foreign talent.

Still, speculation persists that she could still aim for Japan’s top job.

She has already broken several glass ceilings: first female governor of Tokyo, Japan’s first female defence minister and the first woman to run for LDP president.

Creating a new political machine to vault her to the top would be tough, political analysts said.

“Does she have what it takes to be prime minister? Absolutely. But she doesn’t have the political machine that can make it happen,” said a source who has advised Koike for years.

—Reuters