Japan's Suga Lobbies Olympic Support Through Vaccine Donations

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] With the Tokyo Olympics just 50 days away, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is putting effort into lobbying support for the Olympics through vaccine project donations.

According to Kyodo News on the 3rd, it is known that the joint statement of the Group of Seven (G7) summit is being coordinated to reflect support for Japan, which is hosting the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. The G7 meeting will be held in the United Kingdom from the 11th to the 13th.

Kyodo News, citing diplomatic sources, reported that "the specific wording to be included in the joint statement is being finalized," and added, "There is no country opposing Japan's efforts to hold the event this summer."

The Japanese government is reportedly using 'vaccine diplomacy' as a means to secure a favorable statement regarding the hosting of the Olympics.

Prime Minister Suga announced at the online 'COVAX Vaccine Summit' held the day before that Japan would provide an additional $800 million (approximately 900 billion KRW) to COVAX, the international project for joint purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. He also added that 30 million doses of vaccines secured for Japanese citizens would be supplied to other countries.

Including the $200 million previously pledged by Prime Minister Suga, Japan's total support amounts to $1 billion (approximately 1.1115 trillion KRW), making it the second largest contributor after the United States ($2.5 billion).

Kyodo News analyzed that "Prime Minister Suga seems to want to emphasize Japan's contributions at the G7 summit to gain favorable support for hosting the Olympics."

Amid growing skepticism and calls for cancellation of the Olympics due to the spread of COVID-19, this is interpreted as a plan to gain momentum for hosting the Olympics by securing support from major countries.

At the G7 summit held via video conference in February this year, the group issued a statement supporting Japan's determination to hold the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics this summer in a "safe and secure" manner as a symbol of global unity overcoming COVID-19.