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Tokyo govt officials increasingly concerned about Olympics

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But "it would be difficult to hold the Olympics if infections continue to expand," the official added. (AFP)
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16 May 2021 12:05:13 GMT9
16 May 2021 12:05:13 GMT9

TOKYO: Tokyo metropolitan government officials are increasingly concerned about whether the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will be held this summer as scheduled, with the novel coronavirus showing little sign of abating.

The number of new infection cases is still on the rise though the Japanese capital is under the third coronavirus state of emergency from April 25.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has reiterated she will do her utmost to ensure the safe and secure Tokyo Games. But one senior official at the metropolitan government said that “there would be little surprise if she declares the cancellation” of the sporting events.

New infection cases “are not decreasing at all,” Koike said in a frustrated tone at a meeting prior to the metropolitan government’s coronavirus monitoring conference Thursday.

The metropolitan government initially aimed to exit the third state of emergency quickly by taking intensive measures, after the second one covered the Japanese capital for two and a half months to late March.

The third emergency, originally slated to end on May 11, has been extended until May 31, however, as the virus resurgence did not stop.

Tokyo is not seeing a surge in infections as seen around the New Year period, because the number of people who traveled during the Golden Week holiday period fell, the senior official said.

But “it would be difficult to hold the Olympics if infections continue to expand,” the official added.

Meanwhile, speculation has emerged that Koike will include the cancellation of the Tokyo Games in campaign pledges by Tomin First no Kai (Tokyoites first group), a regional party she created, for the July 4 metropolitan assembly election, whose official campaign period will begin on June 25.

The speculation spread quickly, coupled with talk of her possible return to national politics.

“We’re not discussing whether to make the cancellation an election pledge,” a senior member of Tomin First said, while observing that party members would have to follow if Koike decides to do so.

A metropolitan assembly member said that Koike should have such an option in her mind.

The time to make a final judgment on whether to hold the Tokyo Games is approaching with only two months left until the July 23 opening ceremony for the Olympics.

“It would be difficult to hold (the games) if the state of emergency until the end of May is extended again,” a metropolitan government bureau head said.

“The governor will make a decision after checking public opinions and the moves of people concerned,” the official continued.

JIJI Press

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