People watch Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's news conference on a screen in Tokyo on Thursday night. Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
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Suga calls on public to watch Olympics on TV as Japan eases state of emergency

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By Yuka Obayashi and Kiyoshi Takenaka

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135 Comments
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Or don't watch it at all. It's gonna be horrific.

32 ( +39 / -7 )

You’re all free Now, to do as you like … so, why not ‘stay indoors’ & watch it on TV

-PS: You were always free and did as you liked. (There were never any real “restrictions”.) -

28 ( +29 / -1 )

Suga calls on public to watch Olympics on TV as Japan eases state of emergency

If you are one of the 80% of the population in Japan that are against the event going ahead, as I am, just don’t watch it!

34 ( +37 / -3 )

What he means is watch the Olympics on T.V. So the IOC can get their money that they are expecting for the reason to not cancel the Olympics no matter what the people of Japan say…

31 ( +31 / -0 )

This is what Mr. Suga said,

"It's important to hold safe and secure Tokyo Games, curb the spread of infections during the period and prevent the spread of infections after the Games,"

This is what he was thinking,

"It's IMPOSSIBLE to hold safe and secure Tokyo Games, curb the spread of infections during the period and prevent the spread of infections after the Games,"

18 ( +20 / -2 )

Suga calls on public to watch Olympics on TV as Japan eases state of emergency

No.

34 ( +34 / -0 )

I just want to see the athletes do their best - on TV.

-20 ( +5 / -25 )

Me too. I will not watch it, is is an abomination and a disgrace to humanity to hold these Games now.

29 ( +33 / -4 )

Of course ignoring the whole thing is a better option. Luckily there are a lot of options to be entertained now that open TV is no longer the main thing many people see.

23 ( +25 / -2 )

So he is tacitly admitting the safe and secure Olympics are safe secure only on tv? Could have held them anywhere if it’s TV driven. I’m lucky my TV has a mask so I should be OK.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

Won’t be watching, spineless leader. But I look forward to the tv ratings during that time

19 ( +19 / -0 )

Yea, so they can make ad revenue. I won't be watching.

26 ( +26 / -0 )

zichiToday  07:16 am JST

Unless you subscribe to NBC International it will be difficult to find stations. I think Peacock TV?

I’m gonna go out on a limb and suggest that NHK and several other Japanese outlets will be broadcasting. Not likely in English, but …

14 ( +15 / -1 )

As I've said many times, I've already decided not to support this event as soon as it became apparant it serves np other purpose than to generate profit for the IOC via T.V. revenue and the total disregard for the opinions of medical experts and the well being of the Japanese people.

Suga is...well I've nothing positive to say.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

.....WTF....and line the pockets of nbc & the ioc......NO way in HELL!!

20 ( +21 / -1 )

I think the IOC and Japan should apologize to all these Olympic athletes being forced to compete in these dismal conditions.

These aren't the Olympics they dreamed about while growing up and training their guts out for.

It didn't have to be this way.

17 ( +19 / -2 )

When Olympics are held in a foreign country, we watch it on TV. So it is exactly the same.

But was Suga expecting thousands of locals to rush to the stadium.

The message is clear. During the Olympics, priority to the games. You, the sheep, you stay home during that time. Ok, you understand? Do not disturb our party. If you want, watch TV, you will follow much better and can have beers and CHEERS.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Watch the fiasco. Maybe I’ll paint a wall and watch that instead.

18 ( +19 / -1 )

Oh yes, Suga. We will obey and watch. (Sarcasm). I'll spend my time watching The Sopranos. If this is another State of Emergency, I'd actually rather spend my time with my kids. No thanks, Suga.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

No not interested in watching. It will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Nice hypocrite words Mr.Suga.

On my side I won’t spend even a second of my life to watch this amplified Japan’s sport event formerly known as the World Olympics.

Not only unethical to hold these games in such times but also pretty xenophobe to have only local spectators.

Let’s do like with the World Heritage thing,give them all the gold medals and let the right wingers feel proud and let’s get over with this circus.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

I will not be watching or supporting the sponsors.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

I don't watch TV. Too busy with my own life to care about Suga and Koike lining their pockets.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

No thanks all the hassle IOC put us through why should I be told to watch it on tv. I won’t watch. I have more important things to do than watch covid lypics

13 ( +13 / -0 )

When can we travel??? Open the borders. Not much people care about the Olympics that has lost its momentum.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

People can't say they aren't watching yet be the first to jump on event articles and grace us with their comments.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

No visitors from overseas. But Macron will come from France to attend the opening ceremony. People in Japan should watch on TV, not in person. But Suga and Koike will go to as many events as they want. Of course, we have to pay for this farce.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

The Olympics now represent something I find disgusting, so its a "no" from me.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

As someone who doesn’t watch TV at all (unless Netflix and YouTube count), I am pleased that I will not be contributing to the avaricious officials of the IOC.

And even if I did watch TV (if for some reason I wanted my IQ lowered), I can’t really imagine watching the 100 meters final being run in front of a) nobody but a bunch of VIPs who don’t care who wins, or b) Japanese fans only (nothing against Japanese fans, but it won’t be much of an atmosphere).

I doubt he has the imaginative powers to do so, but I wonder if Suga has ever considered the fact that he will be known as the man in power when the most meaningless Olympics in history were held.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Can watch on TV as will be all Japanese athletics all the time like the past as never seen others anyway so what's the point.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I don’t own a tv. But this sounds like an attempt to have NHK collect an Olympic viewing tax.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

@zichi: Difficult to find a TV Channel to watch them on? NHK, Fuji, TBS, Asahi - all showing in Japan - or whatever your local affiliates are in Hyogo.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

So long as Coates receives his $150 million, what else matters.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Japanese paid with credit and loans for useless Olympics games that they did not want. very expensive TV program!! repeat again the meaningless word DEMOCRACY

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Nishimura said: "The IOC has the final say."

"Our top priority is to protect life and health. 

And what all that means is the games are going to happen even if it kills everyone in Japan.

Remember despite all the false promises by the IOC the following said by the IOC spokesperson makes it clear nothing is going to change their minds!

Clearly stated by the IOC:

Barring Armageddon

That was the only possible situation the games would not proceed.

Armageddon, think about that!

6 ( +8 / -2 )

This is quite amusing - Lot of anger and hatred here this morning.

-17 ( +2 / -19 )

So is Suga also going to stay at home and watch it on TV? A little hypocritical if I see him on TV enjoying a nice meal in a skybox

6 ( +6 / -0 )

NOMINATIONToday  08:29 am JST

People can't say they aren't watching yet be the first to jump on event articles and grace us with their comments.

Of course they can.

I’m going to be expressing dissent in articles right up until the start of the games.

There’s no hypocrisy there.

Hypocrisy is saying ‘Public health is my top priority’ then Ignoring medical advice and the wishes of the majority, all while surrendering control of your country to whoever can buy you the best steak.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

I'm confused about the surrounding areas of Tokyo that simply seem to copy whatever Tokyo does. Are the prefectures of Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama autonomous of just suburban slaves of almighty Tokyo? They're not mentioned in the list of  "quasi-emergency" areas, but I bet they will do exactly the same thing as Tokyo.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I'm confused about the surrounding areas of Tokyo that simply seem to copy whatever Tokyo does

Yeah, don't they know the virus follows human rules of borders, meaning that these separate prefectures can have separate rules?!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Athletes competing without masks (unavoidable) in the middle of a pandemic. The results could be pretty gross. If you like spatter movies you may find the Olympics to your taste.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Asked whether the government would ask the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to cancel or postpone the Games even after they have started if there was a threat to public health and lives, Nishimura said: "The IOC has the final say."

I don’t understand. How can the IOC dictate anything to Japan? They are just a sports committee and Japan is a country.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Never mind. Just read the other article. It’s all in the contract that Japan signed with the IOC. What a mess.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

No.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

er...The Olympics 'belong'to the IOC. Japan signed a contract to host them. That is why the IOC can dictate terms. Why this constant question over something that is well documented?

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Definition of a corporate tool.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Sorry Sugi. I gotta go to work. You know, pay my taxes, the money you've been wasting? I don't have time to sit and watch fencing.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Unfortunately we can’t watch reruns of the games from the 40% of multimillion dollar connected who get the Olympic Village apartments after the pesky one year postponed event CAN.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Shouldn't be too hard. From my experiences in Japanese homes, the TV is generally always on and someone is drooling in front of the nonsense it emits.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Stuff you Suga, I'll do what I like in my free time and I won't watch your damned Olympics.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

The job is being done very well.Covid is on the retreat and Mr Suga and his top experts wish to keep it that way. Of course most people will be watching the event on the TV, it’s the highlight of the year for most people.

My partner and I will be cheering on Team GB and Japan, finally some positivity after 18 months of Covid.

-18 ( +1 / -19 )

@the resident. Why this constant question?

I am certain you are intelligent and know the answer is because It is morally wrong to allow a money making committee dictate to a country in a pandemic situation. All they had to do was wait until 2024 to have a hugely successful Tokyo olympics.

But you know that anyway

6 ( +7 / -1 )

so ridiculous ...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Not a chance.

I was initially mildly interested in the Olympics, despite preferring most of the winter sports. After this utter fiasco of mismanagement, I can't imagine I will ever watch another Olympics event again unless the IOC receives the largest restructuring the world has ever seen.

The only thing we can really do at this point is vote with our [advertising] dollars. If viewership plummets, advertising contracts for future events will too, and so will IOC's income. If they make as much (or more) money this time around, they will never change.

I encourage anyone who has been pushing for the Olympics to be cancelled to NOT WATCH them. Don't reward their behaviour with proof that people will keep giving them money no matter what they do.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@hatsufred: I do - and always thought to roll the Olympic cycle by 4 years would have been a wonderful idea. Sadly, it's not to be.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Asked whether the government would ask the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to cancel or postpone the Games even after they have started if there was a threat to public health and lives, Nishimura said: "The IOC has the final say."

That quote is quite chilling, isn't it?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I will repeat this so there is no misunderstanding and so the rah rah rah IOC posters here remember.

All the promises and lip service by the IOC about safety are and have always been lies.

As made clear when they said Only Armageddon would stop the games.

Armageddon!!!!!

Anything else they say was a lie.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

That quote is quite chilling, isn't it?

"Barring Armageddon the games will be held" is even more chilling!

That was what the IOC spokesperson said in a press conference.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Sadly we have people fear mongering again about the dangers of the Olympics. Talk of Armageddon and everyone dying in Japan are unnecessary. We can all see the numbers falling and vaccines being given at record speeds. We will not return to the higher levels of cases now and all the measures taken are ensuring this.

Mr Suga has safety as his first priority as do the IOC who have both guaranteed a safe games. They have no reasons to lie because of the backlash it would cause.

It really is time for the anti Olympics people to accept they are going ahead and if against them just don’t watch them. The spirit of the games will not be broken by a small minority, however vocal they are.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

No, I do NOT want to watch the olympics on TV. And no, I will not waste money on tickets to any events, either. I'd rather read a book.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Antiquesaving

Both are chilling, but hearing a government minister stating that a sporting body “has the final say” about what occurs in a sovereign nation is scary.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Endless suffering for restaurant owners and staff who can’t get enough wages on this reduced hours or worst lose their jobs! The whole restaurant early closure doesn’t make any sense!

During the Olympics the Government will lift these harsh measures for the world to see that everything is fine in Japan and after the Olympics they’ll pile the misery on the people in Japan!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So people understand the facts.

Senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Richard Pound was emphatic in an interview with a British newspaper. “Barring Armageddon that we can't see or anticipate, these things are a go,” Pound told the Evening Standard. ... So the Olympics are barreling ahead.Jun 3, 2021

So again Armageddon is the level needed by the IOC so everyone in Japan is expendable as long as it isn't Armageddon.

I love how some are willing to defend that remark and make excuses.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I stand to attention. I listen to Suga-samas advice and will watch the Olympic at television. the vaccine being delivered at full steam pace will make any covid threat be 0 by olympics anyway.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

Endless suffering for restaurant owners and staff who can’t get enough wages on this reduced hours or worst lose their jobs! The whole restaurant early closure doesn’t make any sense!

Now for the most ironic part.

Tokyo government is the one that wants the Olympics but it's support for the businesses is dismal to say the least.

Now go to Fukuoka's homepage and see what it is paying it's businesses to remain closed.

Monthly payments on time in amounts that actually let those businesses survive and the owners support themselves.

Guess the $15 billion spent on the Olympics has left Tokyo broke and no money to support it's population and businesses.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

So again Armageddon is the level needed by the IOC so everyone in Japan is expendable as long as it isn't Armageddon.

I love how some are willing to defend that remark and make excuses.

Semantic issue. “Armageddon”, to the IOC, means “we make less than a billion dollars in TV revenue”.

A sharp increase in cases in Japan would barely qualify as a “minor inconvenience” to them.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I stand to attention. I listen to Suga-samas advice and will watch the Olympic at television. the vaccine being delivered at full steam pace will make any covid threat be 0 by olympics anyway.

I guess you would have wished to be born earlier as you missed your chance at a one-way flight to Glory.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

vaccines being given at record speeds

Repeating this fiction does not make it true.

We will not return to the higher levels of cases now and all the measures taken are ensuring this.

Like everyone, I hope there is no return to "higher levels of cases." However, I am not at all convinced that scenario will not occur given the performance of the government over the last year and a half.

The spirit of the games will not be broken by a small minority

It will be remembered as the Olympics that took place in a year different to its title ("Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games" Held in 2021), its absence of spectators, and its unpopularity within the host nation.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Mr Suga has safety as his first priority as do the IOC who have both guaranteed a safe games. They have no reasons to lie because of the backlash it would cause.

Surely, even if you support the Olympics, you can see why this statement doesn't really track right? They have EVERY reason to lie and hold these events for the sake of their wallets. Neither party has given us the slightest reason to trust a word they would say; if Suga said it wasn't going to rain I would be sure to bring my umbrella.

Even if you want the Olympics to happen for whatever reason, you can't tell me that the IOC is a paragon of anything except corruption. I can't think of anyone, even amongst olympic supporters, that are actually IOC supporters. I used to enjoy the Olympics casually despite recognizing that the IOC was rotten, what corporate entity isn't, because it didn't really matter to the average person. Now that it does matter to the average person, I can't in good conscience give an ounce of support the Olympics.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I blame the IOC, 1000%. Don't invite these grifters to your city or your country. They're human ***, and they've parasitically extracted everything that was good or noble out of the Olympics.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Mr Suga has safety as his first priority as do the IOC who have both guaranteed a safe games. They have no reasons to lie because of the backlash it would cause.

Surely, even if you support the Olympics, you can see why this statement doesn't really track right? They have EVERY reason to lie and hold these events for the sake of their wallets. Neither party has given us the slightest reason to trust a word they would say; if Suga said it wasn't going to rain I would be sure to bring my umbrella. 

Even if you want the Olympics to happen for whatever reason, you can't tell me that the IOC is a paragon of anything except corruption. I can't think of anyone, even amongst olympic supporters, that are actually IOC supporters. I used to enjoy the Olympics casually despite recognizing that the IOC was rotten, what corporate entity isn't, because it didn't really matter to the average person. Now that it does matter to the average person, I can't in good conscience give an ounce of support the Olympics.

Save your typing fingers. You’re replying to a troll extraordinaire.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Antiquesaving

You should link.

The exact quote is :

Barring Armageddon that we can’t see or anticipate, these things are a go.

Said by Pound in an interview in London's Evening Standard.#

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/sport-olympics/tokyo-armageddon-olympic-games-ioc-dick-pound-b937254.html

https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/physician-warns-tokyo-olympics-spread-variants-77935582
0 ( +1 / -1 )

The head of NBC Sports said this is probably going to be their most profitable Olympic games ever. They are going to have over 7000 hours of total broadcasting. Of course they get the money from the advertising that goes in between all of those hours of broadcasting. I think somebody actually calculated roughly the number of hours of actual sport happening in the Olympics is about 700 hours. what a bloated mess on US TV

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japan calls on Suga to step down as his lack of leadership, stubbornness and unwillingness to listen to the people has put the country in dire trouble.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I'm fine to watch from my living room with the family and some friends, don't much like big crowds anyways. Good luck Japan, Suga-san, IOC, athletes, and staff/volunteers!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I stopped watching TV about thirty years ago...

3 ( +6 / -3 )

There's a lot of anti-Olympic sentiment here. 

Is this a result of Covid, or something else?

Anyone negative about the Olympics ever been to one?

I'm genuinely interested to know.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

So my tax money was used to fund an event 10 minutes from my house.

and the government says I can just watch it on tv like everyone else in the world?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan is just all over the place, how they can magically predict the infection rate will down by the time the Olympics come is utterly amazing. Hope they can predict that no one will be watching.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Don't own a TV haven't in over 10 years.

Stopped paying any attention to the Olympics in over 20 years probably longer for the summer games.

What is the point? To watch a bunch of Athletes from Rich countries with the best training, equipment, coaches money can by compete against the majority of other countries which many train on long outdated equipment, donated from these rich countries after their elite athletes will no longer use it!

Just to give and idea of how useless and a show for the Rich and powerful to show off.

Last Olympics

Gold medals total 307

10 top countries all rich or big world powers took 182 of those 307

Those same 10 countries took 157 of 307 Silver and 178 of the 359 bronze.

So only 10 countries took home over half the medals why bother having 90% of the Athletes from the rest of the world?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Is this a result of Covid, or something else?

Anyone negative about the Olympics ever been to one?

Answer the second question first.

Yes I have been to the Olympics Montreal 1976. Another great fiasco leaving the city in such debt that a special tax and 30 years were needed to pay it off.

My Japanese wife and family were against the whole idea from day one as they knew as I did that the cost would balloon and it would end up being a financial disaster.

We had this position before Tokyo won the bid and Covid.

Now with covid it will be an even bigger financial disaster making Montreal's disaster look small.

Get ready Tokyo residents for tax hikes they are coming.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

16 June, nine months passed from start of Suga regime.

Incompetent they have increased total cases and total deaths to about 10 times during nine months.

"Our top priority is to protect life and health. We will do our utmost to control infection and secure hospital beds"

Japan's Suga government doesn't it at all during nine months

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I do not believe that the Olympics ever took place in the midst of a pandemic. After you have blown away all the IOC's gaslighting one can only see the unknown consequences of not cancelling the Olympic. Be prepare for the worst.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Why?

So the sponsors can get their money's worth? Just GTFO strawberry man.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Watching the Olympics on tv is about as boring as watching cspan on American tv. It is a great way to get to sleep. I use to care but have lost interest over the years.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@Blacklabel

If you are worried about you tax money it may be a good idea to look at getting out of Tokyo prefecture.

Montreal's Olympics were a $1.6 CND Billion loss and debt that took a special tax and 30 years to pay off.

Tokyo as it is now is a minimum $4 Billion US in debt with estimates once all the numbers are in, could be as high as $20 Billion US.

From the looks of it my grandchildren will still be paying off these Olympics long after I am gone.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga called on the Japanese public to watch the Olympics on TV to avoid spreading the virus, saying it was crucial to avoid any rebound in COVID-19 cases at the Games, due to start on July 23 after being postponed last year.

My TV will be put to better use on those days (for playing PS4. )

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Suga calls on public to watch Olympics on TV as Japan eases state of emergency

Public have been calling on suga and co to cancel the damn games, no one listens to anyone anymore.

Wont be watching these games you can be sure of that.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

TokyoiteToday  02:14 pm JST

There's a lot of anti-Olympic sentiment here. 

Is this a result of Covid, or something else? 

Anyone negative about the Olympics ever been to one?

I'm genuinely interested to know.

Fair question.

If this were a normal Olympics, I’d have no particular issue with them being held in Tokyo, even though I have considered the Olympics to be basically an orgy of drug cheating since that infamous men’s 100m final in 1988, and probably long before that.

However there is no way that the upcoming games can be called normal in any way, shape or form, and the fact that we can now see the unbridled greed behind them - despite the grotesquely insincere clichés about “sport uniting the worked” - means that there is nothing heroic or uplifting about them at all.

I sincerely hope that both the Olympics themselves, and the IOC, come out of this with their reputations in tatters and that other cities who are contemplating bribing…oops, I mean bidding…on future games take a very close look at their contract and at the character of the people they are dealing with.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I’m going to be expressing dissent in articles right up until the start of the games.

Makes perfect sense. You are going to bash the Games until they start, then you will be glued to the television and help bring them revenue.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

In 1996 someone from the US asked me, as an Australian then living in Australia, about my upcoming attendance at the forthcoming 2000 Sydney Olympics. I told the person I had no interest at all, and they were flabbergasted.

By 2000 I was living in Japan and it was nice to see all the reports from Australia in the run-up to the Games, and I ended up watched the opening and closing ceremonies. I can't recall watching anything else, though.

Since then I think I've only watched the Marathon as it's the one event that I feel the Olympics symbolizes. It also gives me a sense of the city in which the Olympics are being held. For once during those two weeks you're outside event venues and you see the sweep of the city. And even then, because of time differences, I've often fallen asleep during that event!

When Tokyo's bid was mooted, I was against it. I realized how jingoistic the domestic broadcasting would be and all the back patting that would go on "for a Games well held" and the congratulatory reports about the bounty of medals Japan would win (or regrets about the medals that weren't won).

Now it's just turned into a farce, but a farce very different to what I'd expected.

I have a TV, but it's rarely if ever on - or plugged in. During the Olympics I'll be working and at the end of the day I'll be hot, tired, and will probably relax with what I usually do during summer, and that does not involve domestic TV.

If it's convenient, I may watch the Marathon. That'll be it.

I hope the PM will be OK with me doing that.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Boycott this atrocity

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Hi Nomination.

Right, and then wrong.

I’m totally against these games taking place here and now. It’s a huge gamble, and the IOC disgusts me.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Seems we have a few posters here that think they have more idea about running the Olympics and even the whole of Tokyo than by the elected officials advised by experts. Is this just a thing with foreign residents? I don’t hear all this vitriol from Japanese regarding the Olympics.

Its going ahead, let’s either ignore and do something else or enjoy the experience.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

USA: 600,000 plus dead.

Brazil: 496,000 plus dead and counting

India: officially 390,000 plus and counting.

How did these 3 countries end up this/that way?

They had leaders that refused to listen to the medical and scientific community.

Suga and the IOC should look at these places as a warning of what happened when politics and money override commonsense, logic medical and scientific facts.!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

NO! Not going to happen! I will not be watching these quasi-Olympics!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Japan must be doing something right in terms of containing the virus or I would have expected the infection rate to be very much higher by now.

Well let's see hospitals say they are full but the government says no.

Tokyo on Sunday tested around 2,000 people in a metropolitan region of 14 million people.

Japan has barely been able to test 100,000 a day more than a few times.

Not to give a comparison.

Ontario Canada population 14 million was testing 40,000 to 50,000 a day during the same period.

So who to believe the doctors and hospitals saying the numbers are higher and they are full of the government that is not testing?

Your choice.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

There are international sporting events happening everyday. Millions of people are traveling on international flights, including into Japan. There is nothing special about the Olympics that warrants fearing them as some sort of super spreader event. Stop buying into the hysteria and move on with your lives.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Suga calls on public to watch Olympics on TV

Just stating the obvious. With the travel restrictions and Corona scare, we all knew that this will be large a TV and internet stream olympics.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Bradley

Japan must be doing something right in terms of containing the virus or I would have expected the infection rate to be very much higher by now.

Japan is not going overboard with excessive restrictions like some Western countries, and the population is largely healthy. What is the obesity rate her? I bet it is nothing like the 37% and rising like in the US.

That alone goes a long way to explain the difference.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Please watch it or at least hear through Alexa or read the news just for the athletes competing for the flag for this day. and crush IOC later

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Please watch it or at least hear through Alexa or read the news just for the athletes competing for the flag for this day. and crush IOC later

Why so the same rich countries can boast how they beat the rest using their money to by the best equipment, best drugs, best everything?

10 countries last Olympics won over half the medals the other 196 split the rest with still over half of those going to the next group of rich countries!

I would rather watch and cheer a cockroach race!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Why so the same rich countries can boast how they beat the rest using their money to by the best equipment, best drugs, best everything?

10 countries last Olympics won over half the medals the other 196 split the rest with still over half of those going to the next group of rich countries!

I would rather watch and cheer a cockroach race!

This seems nothing to with this particular Tokyo Olympics. Please watch and cheer a cockroach race then.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

The IOCLDPJOC doesn’t care.

So, despite ‘all of our differences of opinion’, can we ‘try’ to respect everyone’s ‘individual’ trials? Our family, spouses/partners & friends will be all we have left when and the TV’s are turned off and ‘all of this’ is said and done.

Sincerely, …

“Condolences” for any who have suffered loss due to Covid and the tumultuous events of the last year.”

and

“Best wishes for a brighter future” to those who’ve experienced domestic upheaval, income loss and employment upheaval in the last year.”
1 ( +1 / -0 )

Typo “Autocorrrected”

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The SADDEST part is NO BODY watches BOARING TV anymore.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Olympics at for making money only, no interest to watch.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

My father and brother will watch any sport Soccer, Canadian football, American football, basketball of any league, baseball,. Golf, you name it they watch it.

The one sports event they refuse to watch is the Olympics!

They haven't is years and won't again this year.

They see it for what it is a joke!

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Tristis QuepeToday  03:07 pm JST

> Fair question.

If this were a normal Olympics, I’d have no particular issue with them being held in Tokyo, even though I have considered the Olympics to be basically an orgy of drug cheating since that infamous men’s 100m final in 1988, and probably long before that.

However there is no way that the upcoming games can be called normal in any way, shape or form, and the fact that we can now see the unbridled greed behind them - despite the grotesquely insincere clichés about “sport uniting the worked” - means that there is nothing heroic or uplifting about them at all.

I sincerely hope that both the Olympics themselves, and the IOC, come out of this with their reputations in tatters and that other cities who are contemplating bribing…oops, I mean bidding…on future games take a very close look at their contract and at the character of the people they are dealing with.

4

I think we can all agree the Tokyo Olympics is far from normal, and it's easy to understand why people would want it postponed at least until the autumn to get on top of the vaccine rollout.

As Covid is the reason for your objections, would it be fair to assume you support future Olympics events?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

> KurukuruToday  04:30 pm JST

Boycott this atrocity

Great! I admire your stance!

I on the other hand, will be on the lookout for any tickets. Do you still want yours?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

100% agree - if you're defeated, and have to be forced to hold the Olympics within your own Country during a Pandemic, then we, the Tax Paying Public, should, of course, be advised not to attend...and should we be dumb enough, to spend our time, paying for the "honor" to watch it upon a pay-per-view channel... do so at our own additional expense, since of course, we're paying for this event anyway.... this situation has proven, that Japan, hast lost its backbone, it honor to its own people, and should remain therefore under the shroud of shame... perhaps its all been organized by the CCP.. to be such ?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

AGJune 18  06:59 am JST

Suga calls on public to watch Olympics on TV as Japan eases state of emergency

If you are one of the 80% of the population in Japan that are against the event going ahead, as I am, just don’t watch it!

PM Suga is shirking his responsibilities, he ain't got the guts to man up to the greedy IOC and postpone the Games again. That's right now, don't come to them. Just watch them on TV, yeah!

Passing the buck. Dereliction of duty. Simple as that.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If I understand things correctly even if it is the IOC that under contract is the only one that can postpone or cancel there is a simple way out.

All the Japanese government has to do is declare the contract null and void due to the world pandemic.

That would make any attempt at a lawsuit directed at Tokyo unenforceable in Japanese courts.

No other country has jurisdiction and the ICJ neither as in most cases only states/countries can bring a case to the ICJ and the IOC would need a country to bring the case for them as would baby other NGO/corporations,etc...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Euro DudeToday  10:12 am JST

We will watch the Olimpics for sure, just Not on the local Japanese TV station, which focus only on the Japanese athletes and gossip. No thank you. I want to see unpartial Olimpics from decent international stations and Internet provides.

That's the problems with the Games since 1996. They were held in Atlanta, nobody was covered but US athletes, the network announcers acted like egotistical motormouth chatterboxes that would not shut up, there was rampant ego and gossip everywhere, the US athletes whined, 'Only the Gold will do' and they trashed up the locker rooms like spoiled brats. I called that the EGOlympics. Even the ceremony 'entertainment' sucked. Totally awful, nauseating and jungoistic.

At least with the net you can see how your country's team and the cool athletes score and won what without all the sportscasters showing biased coverage and flapping their lips like Pac-Man (Puck-Man).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Suga is basically saying to the people of Japan that the handling of the pandemic and its dynamic and evolution is only their responsibility. The government chose to hold the Olympics and clearly still are not prepared for what's coming, but if cases go up, it will be your fault, not theirs.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Watching the Japanese government at work is like watching a monkey f*ck a football.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Will not be watching. Will not even watch highlights. Will not watch on the news, either. So, either way, still the worst games ever, however you feel about it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Styopka

Will not be watching. Will not even watch highlights. Will not watch on the news, either. So, either way, still the worst games ever, however you feel about it.

I dont think the quality of the events is influenced by you watching them or not.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

What a complete fiasco that will need to be paid back for generations.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Open Mind

What a complete fiasco that will need to be paid back for generations.

What do you mean?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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