Anti-Olympics petition organizer Kenji Utsunomiya shows off placards during a news conference at the Tokyo Metropolitan Office press club in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: REUTERS/Naoki Ogura
politics

Petition to cancel Tokyo Olympics submitted to Koike

80 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2021 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

80 Comments
Login to comment

Just not enough signatures to even get them to consider it, sadly....

33 ( +37 / -4 )

I wished petitions were not even necessary and normal thinking and common sense would already have done.

49 ( +50 / -1 )

If this stubborn government doesn't listen and do keep the games. I hope people will remember it during election and kick the corrupt LDP out.

26 ( +29 / -3 )

We all know the petition is dead on arrival. Olympic above country. SMH

28 ( +30 / -2 )

Noted, disregarded and filed. Move on people!

17 ( +18 / -1 )

She has been ignoring the people about the topic since last year, this is probably not going to change just because someone made it official. The only good thing coming from this is that international news can use this to keep the topic alive.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Simian. My mother in law died last week from this sniffle. Thanks

32 ( +39 / -7 )

Unfortunately she'll just ignore it. Like all pols here she thinks the peasants who elect her are beneath her. Remember this gem, "I know better than citizens because I have advisers."

21 ( +21 / -0 )

the Olympic athletes are some of the healthiest people alive and they plus their entourage will all be tested before they arrive here,

Sure sure, oh wait do we just forget the Tunisian member that came was tested before leaving for Japan, tested in arrival the three days later tested positive after coming into contact with many other people.

Oh let's not talk about it and oh right the IOC said no one 3 was infected but when they said it hasn't been 2 weeks and at that point they stopped testing because the meet was over.

And that was just one very small group.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

I don't think it will be cancelled bc it's not only Japan or Tokyo event, it's IOC world's event, but I think it's a good action. The government calculated Coronavirus be decreasing and waited too long for the vaccination program. Now it is Covid-19 vs Vaccine the judgement.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

A good gesture and it’s good that this is getting publicity. If anything it will serve as a good reminder of these games being yet another stain on japans handling of the olympics and virus

14 ( +15 / -1 )

Furthermore, it’s been said before, but the Olympics is the biggest sports competition of all and it is a symbol of hope and inspiration to millions of people from around the world .

More like the biggest event of corruption, elitism, where the rich get the best training, the best equipment, the best government grants, the best sponsors.

20 ( +21 / -1 )

I think the Olympics this time is about whether we prioritize life or a ceremony and event called the Olympics," Utsunomiya told reporters.

very well said!

16 ( +17 / -1 )

I dont think that the olympics will be cancelled, one reason there has been to much money pumped into it, also the sponsors will be wanting a refund for advertising they didnt get, to many personal egos are at stake. I dont think that Japan wants to look bad if it cancels the games, there is so much national pride at stake to. BUT, They must make a decision now befor its to late, this is a case of damage limitation now.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

The government calculated Coronavirus be decreasing and waited too long for the vaccination program.

So the government then tried to lower the number of cases by lowering the number of people being tested but even doing that the numbers are still going up.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

The best action I took this year was to leave Japan-it was the right move

9 ( +12 / -3 )

@Kuris: Where are you off to?

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Petition to cancel Tokyo Olympics submitted to Koike

It would work in a democracy, which is not the case unfortunately.

Surely the world is keeping the eyes on this and will probably keep shifting investments to other places in Asia rather than this authoritarian LDP island.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

This petition is as good as my following statement...basically it means NOTHING to anyone.

canceltheolympics
9 ( +9 / -0 )

351,868

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Similarly it was news yesterday that Japan Doctors delivered their opposition to the Olympics going ahead to the Health Ministry. Not reported here I think and conveniently ignored by the IOC and Japanese ministers.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Sad to see that 350,000 people believe this hyperbole. A choice between the Olympics and "life"... how ridiculous.

-22 ( +1 / -23 )

the Olympic athletes are some of the healthiest people alive and they plus their entourage will all be tested before they arrive here, there is no safety issue over the normal business travel that is already occurring daily from some countries to Japan. Plus the audiences have already been banned and it’s in middle of Summer.

What about the Paralympians, many of whom have complex medical needs? What about the 110,000 volunteers? What about the incoming 30,000-60,000 entourages of support staff? What about the 1000s of broadcasters? That is pushing 200,000 people (organisers are very coy about revealing exact figures of incoming people). There should be no special provision for any of them in the middle of a public health crisis. Of course noone should be denied treatment, and rationing treatment would be the most gut wrenching decision for a health worker to make. So they should not be forced to make these decisions for a totally avoidable event.

And there absolutely is a safety issue with people continuing to travel into Japan, whatever their nationality.

And the season is irrelevant. The virus does not 'just go away' in summer.

19 ( +19 / -0 )

Just wondering where Morisans replacement has been in all of this. Seiko Hashimoto, the lady that was to bring the games back to the people. Where is she?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Similarly it was news yesterday that Japan Doctors delivered their opposition to the Olympics going ahead to the Health Ministry. Not reported here I think and conveniently ignored by the IOC and Japanese ministers

Unfortunately, the numbers did not balloon to figures that cannot be ignored

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

[AFTER THE FACT]

Well, after the Japan Olympics, I am sure there will be issues with the athletes and the volunteers in terms of COVID among other negative affects - and Koike san will have a document that warned her not to go ahead with the games because 80% to 85% of Japanese nationals and we internationals simply do not want the super spreader to happen in 2021. If this goes to court later on the petition will show the judge that the Japanese Government was warned way in advance. So it does have some merit.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I think its time to move on. Instead of wasting time in protesting Olympics they should move to next topic like, vaccination, syringes, nurses, doctors, hospital, vaccination time-frame, isolation wards, etc...

8 ( +10 / -2 )

I signed.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

Are we talking about the same doctor union that is holding up the vaccination effort because of

the foreign made vaccine?

Wouldn't it be a better situation all around if the Japan vaccination rate was 75% at least by June?

Can we reasonably assume that 99.8% of athletes and "authorised foreigners" allowed entry into Japan for the Olympic period will be vaccinated?

So where exactly is the risk ?

It appears that the Japanese Medical bureaucracy by targeting the Olympics is deflecting from the real issue,

the lack of vaccinations.

Another example of planet Japan moving on its own fixed xenophobic elliptical path similar to the 1930's

and the Japanese population paying for it big time.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It has gathered signatures from people in Japan and 130 other countries

So 310.000 is not really many. There are often petitions that raise a lot of votes because it's a current affair and then support significantly drops after all the activists signed. It would be ridiculous to cancel the games now, BioNTech/Pfizer offered a vaccination for all athletes, the pandemic is getting under control, more and more countries are opening up again, the event is a major major event for many athletes and is neccessary for their career, so why not since it will be safe. Spectators are limited and even banned from abroad, and the countries that are still hit hard have no effect on the games. In contrary, holding the games will be seen as a piece of normalization of life that is actually taking place by the vaccination success in many countries already and it's a chance to bring the world together in cheers instead of bitterly wailing around. And now down with the votes here, haha.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

[ NOT JAPAN ]

The rest of the world is starting to normalize. Not Japan. That's why having the Olympics in Japan is not an intelligent idea.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

kurisupisu:

The best action I took this year was to leave Japan-it was the right move

You're coming back soon, you said. After you've got both free vaccinations provided by the NHS to people who are living permanently in UK?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Like in other countries (only more so), Japan's "Cancel Culture" is strictly "top-down" so it won't be a petition but the virus that will soon put an end to Koike's indecision when it put its thumb down on the scales.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Great to submit it and 350k is a big number for a country that barely ever signs these kind of things,

But unfortunately the IOC already made their position clear when they said they don't care about public opinion.

https://japantoday.com/category/tokyo-2020-olympics/ioc-says-negative-public-opinion-is-no-threat-to-tokyo-games

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I'm proud to have signed it.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Petitions have as much influence as the negative comments on this website......nothing. one might feel better having written a strong post, but ultimately all a waste of time.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It’s cute how they think she’ll care. It’s good, though, that they have their names in formal writing and recorded, and Koike will object, because when it’s a disaster resulting in deaths, they can stand up and say they stood up them, too, while Koike won’t be able to claim she had no idea it would happen.

doctors should strike, agreeing ONLY to work on the front lines and Corona patients as necessary. Let the other people complain directly to the government and pressure Them.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Waste of time

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Very noble gesture but totally worthless,the Japanese far right wing nationalist government will find always a way to give the responsibility to someone else or just blame the foreigners.

And their people will sheepishly remain in their position.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

351868 multiplied by leisured media who seem to think " They are justice"

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

These people are losing the plot .

Judging by your comment and the number of downvotes you got it’s clear that you are the one losing the plot!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

It’ll be ignored. 80% are against them being held in July, which if consistent across the whole population would be more than 100,000,000 people.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Absolutely agree with this. If it goes ahead it will be embarrassing, as is Japan's vaccination program. Just stop it now and save face before a bigger disaster occurs

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The greatest threat to the health of the Japanese people is the slow roll out of the vaccines.

All of those arriving for the Olympics will test negative before they are allowed on a plane and they are likely to all be vaccinated too.

The people of Japan are more of a threat to the athletes than vice versa, given the slow pace of vaccination.

The bizarre media obsession with the Olympics is pushing the slow vaccination roll-out down the list when it needs to be the number one priority.

The government should be focusing on getting jabs into peoples' arms.

The people of Japan should be focusing upon getting vaccinated and raising merry hell at the snail's pace roll out.

Leave the Olympics to those organising it. Plans cannot be finalised until closer to the event anyway.

Sports events have been held globally, without fans, throughout the pandemic. The Olympics most likely will be too, as too few people in Japan have been vaccinated.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Leave the Olympics to those organising it

J Gov, who so far have proved to be inept

1 ( +1 / -0 )

352,000 signatures, 131 countries.

Does this even outnumber the people who'll be going to the Olympics?

There aren't that many who are really opposed to the Olympics it seems.

Or maybe the petitioner should have waited for a little while longer for more sigs before submitting the petition

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Isn't it a bit early ?

Frankly, they had a chance with a petition up to 6 months ago. Now it'd done. The Olympics are launched on the rails, they'll go all the way, but probably as an empty shell. No foreign visitors. No audience. Many teams/athletes won't show up, either because they are 'blocked' (India, Brazil... they wan't be allowed to travel, will they ?) or their authorities won't allow (Mrs Kiwi wants her isle Covid free, she will take no risk).

Some have already canceled the month of preparation they usually spend in the host country, some hosting towns have reconsidered.

My guess is countries that will feel obliged will send be reduced team for a few sports each , with each athlete flying in the day before he/she competes, flying away as soon as it's done, not even taking the time to shower and change clothes.

the Olympic athletes are some of the healthiest people alive

Artificial health for some.

The thing in case any of the precious youth gets a "long covid" with months of subpar condition, that will be treated by their country as a national tragedy.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

We support you.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Not even close enough. She doesn't answer to the world, only to Japan. The world view is better reflected in the response from other countries and their athletes. 300k SIGs in JP alone probably isn't enough pressure. Fact of the matter is sporting events has been going on in other places and sure Olympics are different, but how much different.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

We have all been told many times by now. Nothing will stop the Tokyo Olympics going ahead.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"The IOC holds the right to make a decision on whether to cancel, but Tokyo, as the host city, should urge the IOC to cancel," he said. *Japan should buddy up with some of their allies and pitch a good reason to them to pull out of the Olympics once some of the big players pull out so will the other countries. *

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Who's idea was this ?

C'mon man who want's the olympics in a disaster situation, only some one with their fingers in the pie or looking for some other gratification.

This should not even be a thing, No lumpics for the self entitled ones greedy love me i'm so great ones and the filth making money off it at everyone else's risk.

No More , No way !!!

End the greed and the self gratification !

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Make the athletes who come here to compete feel some sort of social obligation to with draw and cancel, people power, if enough of these people who are so in love with them sselves feel the pressure then they migh decide to withdraw or they might become the hated ones and some sort of social target.

You know like smoking in a crowded train became unacceptable becuase enough people didnt like it anymore.

END the Games idea its not good.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

One athlete decided to run , because the others choose the right thing and didnt come . you know what , screw them.

They all try to be social warriors when it suits em how about when it suits us.? DO THE RIGHT THING !! Or be ridculed !!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It sounds like they are not real signatures. Just an online thing. Considering that 180 countries could "sign" it it's not that many.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Listen to what the citizens of the host nation are saying.

For their safety and for everyone else involved

Call

The

Games

Off

Now!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The olympics are just about the worst thing that could happen to Japan right now. Deal with the pandemic first.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I got tired of Japan not doing things properly so I returned to the UK.

As I have interests here and an income stream too,I have been offered the vaccine.

For reasons that are apparent to many posters here it is not advisable not put all the eggs in one basket.

Although I will revisit Japan my main consistent business will be in the UK for the foreseeable future

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Petition to cancel Tokyo Olympics submitted to Koike

Why send the protest petition to Koike? She has no say in this matter. should go to IOC and their corporate masters like Coca Cola and Delta.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Without the slightest (positive) interest in the Olympics, regarding it all as a grotesque scam, I admit that I'm not well-informed. But I've heard that if Japan unilaterally cancels the event, it will be subject to heavy fines. Is this true? Please, those who are 詳しい might inform us...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The decision to cancel should be easy. And the petition should have made it even easier. In any other situation the games could go on. But Japan is in a national state of emergency and experiencing its fourth wave. Furthermore, the vaccination program is exceptionally slow. This is no time to split attention and resources between life saving efforts to vaccinate the nation and preparing for Olympic Games. Prioritize life over games and focus 100% of the nation’s efforts on accelerating the vaccination program.

I am sure Japan would need to pay heavy fines if it canceled due to contractual obligations, but the sovereign nation of Japan is in a state of emergency. Nothing should ever distract a nation from addressing its national emergencies. Games have been canceled before. This would be no different.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The IOC does not care about anyone except their own pockets - pandemic or not. Because if they cancel they do not get money from insurance. But if a host cancels they get insurance money but the host does not. Everyone is in a Mexican standoff. I think rules of mankind should not be set in stone when Mother Nature like this pandemic is beyond man’s control in a snap of a finger! Why don’t they vaccinate every person BEFORE entering Japan so they do not contaminate the people of Japan and also for their safety. No vaccination = not included! Proof of vaccination from every person entering to go to the Olympics - media, participants, kings, queens, whoever you are!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

kurisupisu

I got tired of Japan not doing things properly so I returned to the UK.

As I have interests here and an income stream too,I have been offered the vaccine.

For reasons that are apparent to many posters here it is not advisable not put all the eggs in one basket.

Although I will revisit Japan my main consistent business will be in the UK for the foreseeable future

good call

1 ( +1 / -0 )

A petition to cancel the Tokyo Olympics with more than 351,000 signatures was submitted to the city's governor on Friday, with its organizer urging officials to "prioritize life".

351,000 signatures of a population of 125m? LOL

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Bet original host city contract would be revised so as to include pandemics as a disclaimer, toward 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Seems Tokyo only ends up as a scapegoat.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The number of signatures sounds huge, but is less than 2% of Tokyo's population.

On any population sample, 2% represents one extreme; in this case it represents the most fearful.

The CDC now admits covid is unlikely to be transmitted outdoors, and further studies show that vaccinated people - which includes all athletes and supporting personnel- do not spread the disease.

There is no reason to cancel the Olympics; this hysteria is being spread by those who wish to embarrass and humiliate the people of Japan.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Even if it eas 10 times the amount of signatures (3,510,000) or a 100 times the amount of signatures (31,100,000) I don't think that it would make any difference. Japanese bureaucrats are too stubborn, and the IOC breathtakingly arrogant.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The Olympics will show the world, what Japan is all about.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Olympics will show the world, what Japan is all about.

Unfortunately, irrational. This is not a macho contest — a measure of how myopic Japan can be. This is not about proving how tough Japan can be by watching people die while it dogmatically focuses on hosting games. Games! Vaccinate the people living in Japan, then worry about the games.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites