tokyo 2020 olympics

Doubts growing in Japan over Tokyo Olympics

91 Comments
By Harumi OZAWA

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

© 2020 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

91 Comments
Login to comment

Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike has said it is "unthinkable" to cancel the Olympics but the decision rests with the IOC, which is planning emergency talks with international sports federations over the virus on Tuesday, according to an IOC source.

is it more thinkable to have infected athletes, spectators and visitors?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A 9 month delay until Mar/Apr 2021, coinciding with 桜 would be the best option, leaving 3 years 4 months until the Paris Olympics. By thinking laterally, (yeah....I know), Japan can make lemonade out of lemons.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Well, a decision needs to be made and a line needs to be drawn in the sands as to what is the priority, keeping people safe, minimizing the risks or proceed with the games and make profit....a lot of it.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I’m looking forward to the crap show called Tokyo 2020 being cancelled. I mean our taxes pay for it but it’s only ever going to benefit Tokyo.

This is not the time for schadenfreude. It seems it has to be postponed but it will cause such a blow to the national psyche.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I’m looking forward to the crap show called Tokyo 2020 being cancelled. I mean our taxes pay for it but it’s only ever going to benefit Tokyo.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Well, airlines have been cancelling routes and cutting capacity, down to 10% in some cases. They are saying that by May/June 80% of the airlines will be out of business. So how do they expect the spectators, athletes and officials to get here? Cruise ship?

Some athletes themselves are also wanting to give it a miss. Their training has been disrupted, and it takes months and months to prepare. Many countries have been unable to even finish their qualifying trials, which means they are unable to pick their teams.

A top British runner was of the opinion that they should be canceled, or at least postponed until 022, and I concur. At this stage, it is too early to predict even where things will be in a year from now, Mr. Abe.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Cancel the olympics, too many lives at risk.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I think governments need to focus to halt this widespread of coronavirus instead of Olympic.

I am sorry for many athletes taking much efforts for it , but.. our lives are much important...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@smithinjapan 01:44 pm JST

I usually find your posts too critical of Japan (sometimes too extreme) and I do not always agree with you but in this case I fully agree with your last post

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike has said it is "unthinkable" to cancel the Olympics

No, but it is unthinkable to hold them as scheduled. And that was before coronavirus.

A delay for 12 months seems the most viable option.

Even better, a delay of either 10 months or 14 months, so as to avoid the hottest period of the year.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Abe asks you to give up all your free time to go into companies earlier, and come home later, to stagger train traffic and reduce the risk while of course still going to work at mid-sized companies, and only "encouraging" companies in general to give paid leave to people who are sick or at risk. He asks you to "cooperate" while giving up all your leisure activities, and giving up your wages as you stay home to take care of kids he has "encouraged" to stay home from school. He asks you to avoid crowds and activities that could lead to physical contact. He asks high school kids who work their whole lives in baseball to understand about giving up their dreams when cancelling Koshien. He asks young people to understand and cooperate while their graduations are cancelled, or parents are not allowed to attend because of social distancing. He asks you to avoid all social functions besides. And yet, the biggest world sporting event, with the closest contact among spectators and physical contact between athletes in most cases (good luck with wrestling -- an event Japan is expected to medal in!), and Abe REFUSES to even consider cancellation. Won't think about it, won't even form panels to discuss the idea of talking about it. Obviously, he doesn't care one bit about health or the opinion of the people (he didn't when they were against the bid to begin with, either). He cares about the money and his reputation. That's all he has ever cared about.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Hmm interesting just 9 minutes ago on CNN.com I read that:

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said today that he "secured support" from G7 leaders to hold the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in their "complete form,” which would provide "proof that the world has contained coronavirus."

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Being a pandemic, whether the Olympics can be held or not is not dependent on the situation in Japan alone.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@macv

 I am 68 have been here since 1970's, on Japanese health insurance plan, have atherosclerosis, bypasses, strokes, CKD have been under doctor care weekly since 2010. Was hospitalized a week with renal failure in Nov. since being discharged have had mysterious bronchial condition I believe I picked up in the hospital. I reported all this to my doctors during examinations but because I don't have a fever I can't get tested!

I hope your condition is OK. It sounds like you have been through a lot (to say the least).

But wow....Holy Smokes!!! This insane. Reading your post you are in a very high risk category and they should have tested you immediately based on your risk factor and that symptom alone. Ok; I understand if they tell you this and you are a 20 year old healthy person but in your case.....this is just craziness.

I honestly believe (and I really like Japan) that the government here is extraordinarily selfish and does not care at all about the average citizen or resident of Japan.

Koike sounds like a selfish conceited and entitled &%$& who believes herself and her personal interest are above the average citizen.

I am left to wonder how many of them "invested" in the Olympic village apartments which they indicated they were concerned would not sell if the Olympics are cancelled or delayed.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@noriahojanen

"Coronavirus: Trump says coronavirus crisis may last all summer"

Haha, the same guy who completely downplayed the severity of all of this...because "my economy"? And who now has given himself a "10" for response and absolved himself of any blame or responsibility?

Wonder how that is all working out.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike has said it is "unthinkable" to cancel the Olympics...

So start thinking, Tokyo Governor. Thats what we taxpayers are paying you to do, and keep us safe. If not, just do us all a favour and say nothing.

Logically enough, Tokyo Met is now most likely the epicentre of the Japan outbreak, though Im sure Hokkaido, Osaka and Nagoya are now jockeying for the honour. It would be nice to know, if the Japanese government let up on its lockdown of testing, and followed the recommendation of health experts.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

If where I am from becomes in the list of a 14-day quarantine - why go?! Where I am coming from is NOT in the list YET.

They should announce it by 2nd week of May.

I may not have COVID-19 but others may develop one as sometimes it manifests more than 14 days

2 ( +2 / -0 )

When the Ganes are canceled or postponed, it will be fun to watch Trump say, “See? I told you so!” and to see his haters have to admit he was right.

Yeah! That will cancel out his incompetence in gutting the CDC, eliminating the Homeland Security team preparing for pandemics, and his entirely botched response to the virus.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Japan has the capability to build a network of surveillance, using hitech. Anyone from China and South Korea will be tested automatically for temperatures, and history of connection with virus carriers.

@Akie, you are weeks out of touch. This is now a pandemic, meaning the main spread is now community. International travel restrictions are now just one very small part of infection control measures, and they apply to ALL international travel, not from any particular country.

Listen to experts and epidemiologists. What is needed are drastic domestic actions to slow down community spread, and drastic action to strengthen the response of the health services and other essential services like food delivery, cleaning, garbage collection, policing, firefighting, social care, public transport. The Olympics are a ridiculous distraction, fiddling while Rome burns. They need to be cancelled, so we can all focus on reality. Not next month, not next week, not tomorrow. Immediately. Tens of thousands of lives could depend on it.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Must stop looking at money invested for a moment.

If anyone, just a single one soul, dies from this virus in middle of Olympics games then both IOC and Japan will be shamed by the whole world watching.

Don't do this.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

When the Ganes are canceled or postponed, it will be fun to watch Trump say, “See? I told you so!” and to see his haters have to admit he was right.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

It should be postponed untill the fall of 2021. And the number of infected in I don't believe that there's only 814 infected in Japan when there's 10 times that number in South Korea. That doesn't make sense unless the government has kept the numbers low to make it seem safe to keep the Olympics as planned.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Postponing would be great, but cancelling would be a disaster.

Please don't forget that for many people their livelihoods depend on the games. People are hired to work for the Tokyo Olympics as a project - it's not an on-going situation. No games = no jobs.

If the games would suddenly be cancelled, e.g. my husband would loose his job. It would be very difficult for us in our 40's to suddenly find a new job with a similar salary - we wouldn't be able to pay our rent and bills, we'd be homeless.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

According to this article it's the insurers that will get caned if the Games are cancelled:

"Local organizers, Olympics sponsors, merchandizers, hoteliers, car hire companies and travel firms also typically buy insurance, though it may not cover their full costs.

Jefferies analysts estimate the insured cost of the 2020 Olympics at $2 billion, including TV rights and sponsorship, plus $600 million for hospitality.

Insurance sources say policies for most major sporting events are underwritten by Lloyd’s of London or the broader London commercial insurance market."

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2020-coronavirus-insurance-idUSKCN20M1YD

The IOC will walk away slightly out of pocket, while Japanese companies, the Tokyo government, the Japanese government and the insurers will carry the can. That means us taxpayers, of course.

ulyssesToday 09:45 am JST

I wish they take the decision now and reschedule it for September/October.

That's not going to happen.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Its idiotic that we are even having this conversation at this point. Postpone them until next year NOW and get back to work on the crisis we are facing now.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Do you know what is in Abe's mind now ? Hahaaha, you don't, I do.

All we can do is speculate at this stage.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Example scenario - foreign spectators athletes and staff planning to attend the Olympics will have to go through all the hassles and risks to leave their country, fly 10-15 hours breathing recycled in-flight air that carries who knows what germs, arrive in Japan where they encounter many more risks - ride in trains or buses breathe recycled air again, check in at hotel or air BNB, eat at restaurants where others may be contaminated, encounter millions of others attending the event. Let's say some come down with symptoms and go to a hospital. Hospitals do not test but recommend testing elsewhere and that process takes time and is very difficult - case in point I am 68 have been here since 1970's, on Japanese health insurance plan, have atherosclerosis, bypasses, strokes, CKD have been under doctor care weekly since 2010. Was hospitalized a week with renal failure in Nov. since being discharged have had mysterious bronchial condition I believe I picked up in the hospital. I reported all this to my doctors during examinations but because I don't have a fever I can't get tested! What if our foreign visitors get tested and the results are positive. They will be quarantined for undetermined period of time away from work family home country funds and won't be permitted to leave Japan for xx period of time. Who's gonna risk and pay for all of that?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The government of Japan must prioritize the health and safety of it’s people above all,even the so called “honour”

And I stopped answering to the chinese person with a fictional japanese name already months ago.

Big mouth,high presumption and vulgarity are the three factors of such element.

I would suggest to the others to simply downvote and even don’t waste time in reply to him/her.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ill reiterate one more time. Those speaking of postponement are day dreaming. The signed contract between those concerned stipulates cancellation NOT postponement. And the decision to do so rests solely on the IOC NOT japan. Anything else is hogwash.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I dunno if its true but I heard that the UK government has not ordered clubs and bars to shut because it would allow them to make insurance claims that hurt the financial sector. Instead it has simply "recommended" they close, so the owners, mostly individuals, take the hit.

It seems clear to me that the Olympics cannot be held on time. However, if the Japanese Government doing this unilaterally means paying up to the IOC in a way that would be avoided by WHO demanding it, then yes, all they can do is stall and wait for the inevitable. I'm all for leadership (The Games are off!") but not when it puts the taxpayer further on the hook for something which is inevitable anyway. If the Japanese government is refusing to cancel the games simply because they want a flag-waving circus for their egos, then yes, they are deluded.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

AkieToday  08:09 am JST

SauloJpn, correct. Logistic is challenging but Japan has the capability to build a network of surveillance, using hitech. Anyone from China and South Korea will be tested automatically for temperatures, and history of connection with virus carriers. Those arrive Japan directly will have the same test. If any doubt exist, then further test will be followed.

You just reaffirmed my point. How many people would like to endure that and all the uncertainties of traveling here for the games? Sure some people would but I think most people would not.

Can the Olympics be held in the scheduled dates? Sure.

Should the Olympics be held in the scheduled dates? No. Not if you want people and athletes to participate!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bungle

There’s probably a financial penalty to be paid if Japan unilaterally postpones or cancels the Olympics. A recommendation by the IOC or perhaps WHO would get them off the hook, hence this procrastination.

Empty stadiums plus risk of re-spreading the virus again seems have more risk and bad impact economically.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

theResidentMar. 12  01:56 pm JST

I don't think they'll need to 'cancel' the Olympics as such - I think countries will start to say that they won't send a team. If the USA or Germany declare as such many others will follow suit.

5( +6 / -1 )

I repeat my comment from March 12th - which somebody didn't approce of.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Ryue

Cancel it for 2020. Have Tokyo host it in 2024 ( if it is still willing ). Paris hosts in 2028. This gives Paris more time to build and prepare, and allows Tokyo a chance to recoup their investment in 2024.

does it really need to be done every 4 years? If things improve late this year why not do it on 2021? We are in the generation where changes are happening and encouraged, why not allow it for Olympics too especially if it's for good reasons.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Postpone it to 2021...

All the 2020 merchandise will be come collectable, and they can make even more money selling 2021 merchandise.

Sign making businesses, clothing company etc will get more fat cat contracts to make new signs and uniforms and posters... etc... more money spent to benefit the economy rather than losing it all.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

To simplify what Abe, Koike and IOC think in one sentence:

Olympics is more priority than the safety and lives of Japanese people.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Once it is postponed, you'll see the number of affected corona cases shoot up because there's no need to suppress the numbers anymore.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Akie

Do you know what is in Abe's mind now ? Hahaaha, you don't, I do.

Abe wants a miracle, as simple as that.

This is not about what Abe's mind, this is about what is right for the safety of people and economy. He doesn't have to wait for a miracle as he can avoid this disaster.

Yes I am not a scientist neither you are, but one thing I am sure of, thousands of people (and still growing) are dying because of this virus. As someone mentioned above, pushing this through will lose the essence of temporary closing the schools and other public events. It shows that they aren't really that committed to fight this disease. Even the greedy capitalist Disney closed for almost a month, this means this has to be taken seriously with careful considerations as "IT IS REGRETTABLE" will not be acceptable if things get worse especially if it results to the lost of many lives.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I wish they take the decision now and reschedule it for September/October.

Pressure to postpone will keep building up and they will have to cave in eventually.

The not so smart decision to host in July-August was driven by pressure from the sponsors including TV channels, its in their interest that the games happen this year and not get pushed back by another year.

So this is probably the right time to put pressure and reschedule .

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Peeping_Tom, this is international effort

I'm not saying it isn't.

All I'm saying is that people should be questioning the IOC and the WHO, rather than coming here to do no more than castigate the usual horse.

Especially when it 's evident they don't know the rules. of the game.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Cancel it for 2020. Have Tokyo host it in 2024 ( if it is still willing ). Paris hosts in 2028. This gives Paris more time to build and prepare, and allows Tokyo a chance to recoup their investment in 2024.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan is on life support, not dead yet. But miracle does happen.

"Fortuna Audaces Sequitur", Akie. I don't see no audaces in this government, nor in its people strongly demanding for better containment measures, better testing, better chances at survival.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Peeping_Tom, this is international efforts. There is still a hope to control it in 3 months. It requires people's war, and it is proven effective.

Japan is on life support, not dead yet. But miracle does happen.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

"What is your solution if in case the infections grow again in Japan?"

To grow "again" implies that first infection spreading would have to be stopped. Which I don't see happening in Japan. Compared to other countries where the outbreak is being contrasted with full force, in Japan I see very little effort tracking the disease, very little effort in social distancing, people mostly pretending to carry on with their normal life as if nothing much is happening (expect the toilet paper insanity that is still going on).

The government seems to have done a great job in convincing people that there's not much that can be done in this emergency. Testing? Eh, mendokusai. Isolation, schools closed? Eh, mendokusai. It is safe to say that as of today, nobody can predict where this is heading.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Kobe White Bar OwnerToday  08:29 am JST

Mark my words, if the Olympics happen as scheduled I’ll eat my head.

I would pay serious cash to watch athletes competing at eating their own noggins.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"The sooner they can admit this to themselves, the sooner they can make a contingency plan - for example postponing until 2021,"

Did you read my previous post?

It's not up to Japan to postpone anything; host countries do not have such authority.

The IOC does.

They will have to decide what to do with the Games.

Contractual Rules.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

AkieToday  07:44 am JST

iraira, you have never been a Prime Minister, have you ?

No, I haven't been a prime minister in this lifetime, yet. But, I did read the above article before I posted.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

noypikantoku, it is indeed very challenging. Do you know what is in Abe's mind now ? Hahaaha, you don't, I do.

Abe wants a miracle, as simple as that.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

akie

iraira, you have never been a Prime Minister, have you ?

It is not as simple as IOC's decision, much more complicated than that. Japan, aka Abe, has to be involved, and to be shown hard facts for the canceling

You don't have to be a Prime Minister to have common sense that saving lives (including yours if you are in Japan) is priority than this extravagant event. People are not asking to cancel but suggesting to postpone and re-schedule it when all countries have fully recovered from this pandemic, which is very unlikely to happen soon as it is just starting to spread in Europe and US . As of now the corona virus has already impacted the economy so badly and pushing to make this Olympics happen on it's original schedule will worsen that. All these travel ban and preventions will go to waste if you will let people go again risking to start spread the virus rather than completely stopping it. It is being postponed for good reason, you don't want Japan to be blamed for re-spreading this disease again. Shikata ga nai yo. What is your solution if in case the infections grow again in Japan?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Even if Japan was miraculously 100% free of the virus by the start of May, looking at the current state of the rest of the world it’s unlikey every single other country would be.

Are we saying that the Japanese government would risk this country’s total recovery on letting, at the very least, hundreds of thousands of participants and team staff from all over the world into the country?

That would be insane, and reckless beyond belief.

The practice of social distancing doesn’t really fit in with hosting the worlds biggest international sporting event.

Its not going to happen. The sooner they can admit this to themselves, the sooner they can make a contingency plan - for example postponing until 2021, and then reviewing the decision in January next year as to whether they can go ahead and stage it in the summer or even the autumn.

Yes, the autumn! Maybe this virus will have a silver lining after all.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Such a shame. This was going to be my second Games that the was lucky enough to attend. However, it's looking likely the cancellation will be announced soon. And in the interests of safety, it's the right move.

Were many others here planning to attend?

iraira, you have never been a Prime Minister, have you ?

Have you?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

With 368 humans deaths in 24 hours in Italy alone yesterday, how can anyone cheer celebrate!?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Everyone lambasting Japan, not caring/knowing that the Olympics is a Rules based enterprise.

Those rules dictate that the IOC is in control.

THEY CALL THE SHOTS.

Not any host country, certainly NOT Japan!

Therefore, IOC, WHO and then the host country, (here insert: Japan).

The host(s) will be consulted but final authority rests with the IOC.

So many are not shy in showcasing their total ignorance.

Jeezzus .

Santa Misericordia.

"Who decides?

Under the heading 'Termination', clause 66 of the official Tokyo 2020 host city contract gives the IOC the authority to "withdraw the Games from the city" in the event of war (as happened in 1916, 1940 and 1944), civil disorder or boycott, or if the organisation believes that the safety of participants would be threatened "for any reason whatsoever".

Significantly perhaps, the document states the IOC can also terminate if the Games do not take place in 2020. There is no reference to postponement.

The IOC then, is in control. But ultimately it will act on the advice of the experts at the World Health Organisation - and the Japanese government."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/51756253

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Clearly it is already canceled, Japan is just waiting for the IOC to say it. It would be impossible to quarantine for 14 days all athletes and support crew that need to come to Japan.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I would prefer the autumn Games under better temperature; the previous 1964 Tokyo Olympics was opened in October.

Alternatives for rescheduling are limited due to commercialism. US's NBC Universal has bought broadcasting rights for a huge amount. The network has been resisting on a few month delay to open the Tokyo Olympics sometime in autumn season, for the schedule is fully conflicting with a big budget homeland sport events (NFL, etc.).

Ironically it is now uncertain whether the US would be able to organize domesitc sport events as scheduled. President Trump suggested that the virus crisis may last the whole summer or longer.. let's hope for the best.

Coronavirus: Trump says coronavirus crisis may last all summer

www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51919945

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Not hearing much love for the Olympics here. That about cinches it. All it would take is one extra COVID-19 death and the whole thing would turn into an epic level scandal.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

There is already way too much disruption to many athletes preparation and trials let alone the stress in some cases of their daily life right now.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So lemmie get this straight. You can cancel all schools, public festivals, travel to certain countries, sport events, and many other things but the olympics is a problem to cancel or postpone? Either way, Japan isn't ready to host the Olympics.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Cancel and postpone it.

Let the corrupt IOC whine.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Zichi - presume you mean 2022, not 2012, unless you have a large Tardis.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I wonder how much Yakuza involvement there is between construction of facilities and stadiums, selling concessions and merchandise, entertainment, and in the numerous other ways to make a buck off the Olympics.

I then wonder if anyone with authority to take a rain check on the games until 2021 is under 'very strong advisement' to continue as scheduled.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Mark my words, if the Olympics happen as scheduled I’ll eat my head.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Time to face reality and cut the losses.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Koki Miura, a 27-year-old employee at an internet company, told AFP: "To be honest, even if Japan overcomes this crisis, we wouldn't receive visitors from the world. I think we'd better not hold it."

> "We cannot sacrifice people's lives for it," added Miura, who said the Games should be postponed -- if not cancelled outright.

This guy is making more sense than the whole LDP put together.

Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike has said it is "unthinkable" to cancel the Olympics

Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike has proven yet again that she is a complete imbicile.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

SauloJpn, correct. Logistic is challenging but Japan has the capability to build a network of surveillance, using hitech. Anyone from China and South Korea will be tested automatically for temperatures, and history of connection with virus carriers. Those arrive Japan directly will have the same test. If any doubt exist, then further test will be followed.

-17 ( +0 / -17 )

Jijitsu, agreed 100%. If Japan acted as active as China and South Korea, by now there will be no any doubts about the Game.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

The logistics alone should make this summer games almost impossible. There are so many lock downs in the world now that makes traveling so difficult. Even if Japan is virus free by this summer it will take a lot o persuading to get people to come here for the Olympics.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

Some foreign athletes start to call for a delay.

Japan will end by taking that opportunity to delay, against its own will. It will save the face of the country.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Akie

Look at all the other nations that took drastic measures. It's understandable that we are talking about the Olympics here, but Japan should have been more proactive here.

They played with IOC all along.

They probably lost a valuable 1 month or more in effective response to the disease. They should have concentrated more on disease control.

Botching up numbers doesn't help. Epidemics don't go away because someone says they don't exist.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

Its a worthless sporting event just do it next year. No athletes or fans with a brain would risk their life and go through the travel hell at this time.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

So now, the narrative is being built up towards a cancellation.or postponement.

Postponing to the same time,next year had always been an obvious and intelligent choice. But now, it's being pursued as 'other nations' may not participate.

What pains me is that those in public office neglect their own people for economic gains.

If a postponement or cancellation happens, it is because they are forced to do it...but not because they are willing to do it.

I bet that once the announcement comes, the numbers and tests would also increase.

History had selfish Kings and dictators... individuals who put their priorities above the masses. Today they have grouped to form governments.... The irony of the current times is that we elect them ourselves.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

The world is struggling with this pandemia and all they can do is to think to their selfish Olympic games?

The Chinese really gave us a nice present.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

iraira, you have never been a Prime Minister, have you ?

It is not as simple as IOC's decision, much more complicated than that. Japan, aka Abe, has to be involved, and to be shown hard facts for the canceling.

-27 ( +0 / -27 )

Even though Japan can get wayout of the virus crisis (which is pretty likely), other participant countries may still have own struggles awhile. What if the Corona started to attack deeper the African continent? Plan B to respond to the worst case scenario is necessary.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Give it a little more time. Japan and Koike are just waiting for the WHO to make the postponement recommendation to the IOC who will then be seen as the ones pulling the plug (re; postponing) on the games. Japan and Koike save face and "regrettablyies" will be made.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

It’s beginning to look like we’re going to have a nice quiet summer this year.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

It is understandable to be concerned. It is still a little bit too early to make the call. As long as Japan can show some hard numbers, it will be counseling.

Only cancel the game when you give up HOPE.

-22 ( +2 / -24 )

Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike has said it is "unthinkable" to cancel the Olympics but the decision rests with the IOC, which is planning emergency talks with international sports federations over the virus on Tuesday, according to an IOC source.

Yeah well pull out your dictionary, there is a difference between "cancel" and "postpone", both which you seem to think mean the same thing.

Better to postpone the Olympics to like October? Heck, if the pro-leagues can do it, so can you!

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike has said it is "unthinkable" to cancel the Olympics

Not anymore. It’s practically an inevitability.

Delay until next year. The world needs to put its efforts toward mitigation and economic recovery. Holding the games this year would be joyless anyway given the scale of the crisis. Delay the games until next year when it is safer and when people will be able to enjoy them more. Unprecedented times require unprecedented measures.

27 ( +28 / -1 )

Its off. Zero chance Olympics will run. Anyone still promoting the idea of Tokyo 2020 is a reckless fool.

27 ( +29 / -2 )

Why prolong the pain?  A blind man can see these games are not going to go ahead as planned.  Pull the plug now and start planning for a new date.  A delay for 12 months seems the most viable option.

40 ( +42 / -2 )

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