Japan Cancels Osaka Public Road Torch Relay Due to COVID-19 Impact

[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] As Japan's daily new COVID-19 cases rose back to the 3,000 range, the torch relay scheduled on public roads in Osaka was canceled. Instead, torchbearers gathered in an Osaka park to conduct a no-audience torch relay.

On the 13th, the torch relay was held at the Expo '70 Commemorative Park in Osaka, running consecutively through 15 sections. Each runner ran 200 meters, and general spectators were not allowed due to the impact of COVID-19.

Originally, the torch relay was planned as a relay event on public roads in Osaka, but due to the resurgence of COVID-19 in the Osaka area, the torch relay on public roads was canceled.

Former Japanese backstroke swimmer Teragawa Aya is carrying the Tokyo Olympic torch without spectators at Expo '70 Commemorative Park in Osaka Prefecture on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

According to NHK and other broadcasters, the number of new COVID-19 cases nationwide in Japan was counted at 3,455 on that day. About 30% of the cases came from Osaka Prefecture, marking the first time the daily cases in the area exceeded 1,000.

The Japanese government lifted all states of emergency related to COVID-19 ahead of the Tokyo Olympic torch relay commencement. However, as the infection situation worsened again by region, focused measures were implemented in three metropolitan areas including Osaka from the 5th, and from the 12th, these measures were expanded to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Okinawa.