Japan Pushes to Include 'Support for Hosting Tokyo Olympics' in G7 Leaders' Statement

▲Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister of Japan [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] It has been understood that the Japanese government is engaging in a diplomatic campaign to include support for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, scheduled to be held on the 23rd of next month, in the joint statement to be released after the Group of Seven (G7) summit.

On the 9th (local time), the Yomiuri Shimbun reported, citing Japanese government officials, that negotiations are underway to include support for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in the G7 summit statement, which will be held from the 11th to the 13th (local time) in Cornwall, southwestern United Kingdom.

Amid growing calls both domestically and internationally in Japan to cancel the Olympics due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who insists on holding the Games as scheduled, is expected to appeal for support for the Olympic Games at this G7 summit.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported, "In a situation where public opinion is divided over holding the Olympics, the Japanese government intends to create a supportive atmosphere for the Games based on the backing of the G7 leaders."

Earlier, Prime Minister Suga requested support for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games during various diplomatic efforts, including the G7 online summit in February this year and the US-Japan summit with US President Joe Biden in April.

However, each country has expressed support for Japan's desire to hold the Olympics, but not necessarily support for the actual hosting of the Games.

The statement released after the G7 online summit in February said it supported Japan's determination to hold the Tokyo Olympics, and the joint statement after the US-Japan summit in April stated, "President Biden supports Prime Minister Suga's efforts to hold a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer."

However, Prime Minister Suga has taken this as gaining support for the actual hosting of the Olympics, which has sparked controversy.

Regarding this, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama criticized on Twitter, saying, "President Biden dodged the issue by saying he supports 'Prime Minister Suga's efforts to hold the Games,' not the actual hosting of the event."

Against this backdrop, attention is focused on whether the G7 summit statement will include clear wording that explicitly supports the actual hosting of the Olympic Games.