The new president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee has hinted that foreign fans will not be allowed at this summer’s Games amid reports in the Japanese press that a decision had already been made to exclude them.
Here are the key developments:
- The Japanese newspaper Mainichi reported Wednesday that the decision had already been made to exclude foreign fans. “In the current situation, it is impossible to bring in foreign spectators,” the newspaper citing an unnamed government official.
- “If the situation is tough and it would make the (Japanese) consumers concerned, that is a situation we need to avoid from happening,” organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto said.
- Hashimoto told reporters they confirmed that the “top priority” is to hold safe and secure games for all participants, adding she wants to make the decision on spectators from abroad by March 25.
- The Japanese public has been openly opposed to the games, and one sticking point has been the risk presented by visitors entering the country. The other has been the soaring costs.
- With less than five months until the opening of the Olympics, which were postponed for one year due to the global health crisis, some officials have informally started expressing reservations about letting overseas visitors enter Japan for the sporting extravaganza.
The Olympics are scheduled to open on July 23.The games will involve 11,000 Olympic athletes, and later 4,400 Paralympians, and tens of thousands of coaches, judges, sponsors, media and VIPs.
