[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Japanese government has acknowledged foreign media reports that South Africa (Namagong) will not send players to the Tokyo Olympic football qualifiers scheduled for July, and has declared that it will prove scientifically that there is no problem, drawing attention. As fears related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) grow, concerns about boycotts are rising not only from South Africa but also from several other countries.
According to local Japanese media such as NHK, on the 25th, Seiko Hashimoto, Japan's Minister for the Olympics and Paralympics, made a statement at a press conference acknowledging the foreign media report from the previous day that South Africa plans not to send players to the Tokyo Olympic football qualifiers. Minister Hashimoto said, "The government will firmly convey to South Africa that there is scientifically no problem," and added, "We will respond properly with the cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare."
As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Japan exceeded 851 on the 24th and the death toll reached four, concerns about the safety of the Tokyo Olympics are intensifying. David Hughes, director leading the Australian Olympic team's medical staff, also pointed out on the same day, "COVID-19 is spreading from person to person in Japan," and said, "There needs to be assurance that it is safe to bring athletes to Japan."
Earlier, the Tokyo Olympics announced that some events such as baseball and softball would be held in Fukushima, where the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident occurred, leading to the stigma of a "Radioactive Olympics" and sparking safety concerns. With the COVID-19 situation compounding the issue, voices calling for postponement or cancellation of the Olympic schedule are growing louder.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
