Japan Osaka Branch "Osaka City Should Stop Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Yoshimura Hirofumi, Governor of Osaka Prefecture, Japan, stated on the 1st that the Tokyo Olympic torch relay in Osaka City should be stopped.

According to NHK and others, Governor Yoshimura said this during a meeting with reporters on the same day in relation to the decision to apply the 'Priority Measures to Prevent Spread' in Osaka City due to the spread of COVID-19.

The Tokyo Olympic torch relay began last month on the 25th in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The torch relay schedule within Osaka Prefecture is planned for the 13th to 14th. The day it passes through Osaka City is the 14th.

COVID-19 has been rapidly spreading recently in Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, and Miyagi Prefecture. From the 5th, the Priority Measures to Prevent Spread, a stage before the declaration of a state of emergency, will be applied. Upon application, the heads of metropolitan governments can order shortened business hours for restaurants and other establishments. Going out will also be discouraged. Governor Yoshimura is interpreted to have judged that conducting the torch relay under such circumstances is unreasonable.