Khaldon Azhari

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko said Thursday the Metropolitan Government will continue to dedicate its resources towards fighting the battle against the novel coronavirus disease and towards delivering a safe Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As today (July 23) marks one year from the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Games, Koike said in a statement, “at this milestone today, with only one year to go to the opening of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 on 23 July 2021, we and all humankind face this challenge” against coronavirus.

Koike made these remarks for a ceremony held this evening in the Ariake Arena, a site facing Tokyo Bay, to illuminate some symbolic venues of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The venues were lit up to pay tribute to medical service workers fighting against COVID-19, as well as to cheer on and support athletes preparing for the Games.

The event was organized by Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Koike also said in her statement, “while devising ways to curb costs in order to gain the understanding of the people of Tokyo and the rest of Japan, we will ensure that the success of the Games leads to the further development of Tokyo and Japan.”

“The Tokyo 2020 Games provide enormous hope for athletes training hard for next summer and for children who hold the future in their hands. The local governments and people of the communities are also engaging in preparations for the Games,” the Tokyo Governor said.

“We will work closely with all parties concerned and advance preparations to hold a successful Games brimming with hope, which will serve as a symbol of humankind bonding even more strongly as the world came together as one to overcome this difficult situation.”

The event came on a day which was marked by a record number of new coronavirus infected people in one single day in Tokyo (340), making the total number of those infected exceed the ten thousand mark.