Japanese Political Circles Also Mention Cancellation or Spectator-Free Tokyo Olympics

Nikai Toshihiro, LDP Secretary-General, Mentions Possibility of Cancellation
Kono Taro, Minister in Charge of Administrative Reform, Raises Possibility of Holding Event Without Spectators

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Nikai Toshihiro, Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, mentioned the possibility of canceling the Tokyo Olympics, which opens on July 23, according to a report by Kyodo News on the 15th.

According to the report, Secretary-General Nikai said on the same day on Japan's private TBS CS broadcast that if COVID-19 spreads further, "(holding the Tokyo Olympics) would be absolutely impossible, and if that is the case, it must be canceled."

As Nikai, a key figure in the ruling party and a major contributor to the launch of the Suga Yoshihide Cabinet, raised the possibility of canceling the Olympics with less than 100 days remaining, repercussions are expected.

On the same day, Kono Taro, Japan's Minister in charge of Administrative Reform, mentioned the possibility that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics might be held without spectators.

Minister Kono appeared on a TV Asahi program and said about the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, "We will hold them in a way that is possible," adding, "It could be without spectators."

He predicted that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, held amid the COVID-19 situation, "will be conducted in a way different from usual Olympics."

The Asahi Shimbun reported on the same day that the final decision on the spectator limit for the Tokyo Olympics will be made after May.

According to the Asahi report, the Japanese government and the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics Organizing Committee are expected to tentatively decide on a basic policy regarding the spectator limit within this month, with the condition that "it can be changed depending on the future (COVID-19) infection situation," and coordination is reportedly underway in this direction.