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Major Japanese newspaper Asahi calls for Olympic cancelation

74 Comments
By STEPHEN WADE

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74 Comments
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Good for them. Bet the Yomiuri lot are checking with their LDP/Nippon Kaigi/Keidanren handlers on how to react.

60 ( +60 / -0 )

A voice of reason from an Olympic partner.

hopefully followed soon by many more although i prefer postponement.

38 ( +38 / -0 )

Does this mean the Asahi Shimbun will revoke its sponsorship of the Tokyo Olympics?

Its listed under Official Partners here:

https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/organising-committee/marketing/sponsors/

(its logo on there is in Japanese as 朝日新聞 )

21 ( +23 / -2 )

Well stated by Asahi News. Considering they are an Olympic sponsor and partner, this is very telling.

Its over. Cancel the trainwreck NOW.

32 ( +37 / -5 )

Major Japanese newspaper Asahi calls for Olympic cancelation

I don’t know if it will be cancelled even with all the pressure from these companies.

However it is fantastic to see even an Olympic partner coming out to push for cancellation.

This gives me some hope for the future of this brilliant country that is Japan.

Keep fighting until its cancelled japanese people, show who is in charge here and why this is such a special place in the world.

15 ( +19 / -4 )

Also thought it was ridiculous they insisted on using Tokyo 2020.... That photo sums it up! Was a mess this is. Give it up already!

Idiots.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

More voices of sanity are finally speaking up.

21 ( +21 / -0 )

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/25/sports/olympics/tokyo-olympics-cancel.html

Excellent article with updated information. Some scientists looked at the Playbook and they're not impressed apparently.

20 ( +20 / -0 )

This is quite big, a huge step in the right direction and hopefully just the first of many.

20 ( +23 / -3 )

Better to lose money than lives! Cancel them!

15 ( +17 / -2 )

U can tell APs reporting is all done off the internet from somebody’s couch. No original reporting on the Olympics whatsoever. What a sham.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Just a gesture, but in the end won't affect anything. The Japanese government do not require public support. Regardless of "support" for government policies or even the government itself, the vote will still be for the current politicians (or their family) regardless. Even if the Olympics become a huge disaster in terms of covid control, nothing is gonna change for the current administration as they will still be winning a landslide in October elections, but of course get all the money from the Olympics.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

With more clout than JT, they might actually take notice now. If the other Jimin mouthpieces join the choir, it's toast. My fingers are crossed.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

I wish sound judgement of people win in the end. Japan's democracy is tried.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Stickman1760

U can tell APs reporting is all done off the internet from somebody’s couch.

This is a good thing. They working from home, following government suggestions not to go out and are mindful of avoiding the three Cs.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

japan must continue with olympic! it is symbol of hope for to BEATING coronavirus!

-39 ( +0 / -39 )

Big respect to the Asahi Shimbun.

National hero.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

@ Tora fair enough but check out the NYT article today for a really good read on all of this.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The pressure is mounting! You can only have so many people stand on a egg until it cracks!! Keep pushing!

14 ( +14 / -0 )

japan must continue with olympic! it is symbol of hope for to BEATING coronavirus!

Who comes first? People or money? Answer that!

13 ( +14 / -1 )

I think we can all be sure the next Olympics' contract (whichever country happen to be) will have a "pandemic" clause for cancellation without penalties.

Tokyo 2020 is going to be a major mass spreader event only because no-one could have had foreseen a "major pandemic" and include it in the clauses for cancellation and the IOC is digging into it.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This media drip-drip of similar article around olympics cancelation feels like a mirror of how j-gov does things - First major report of the Thing being cancelled ( Times of London , Jan 22, stongly denied) Then an article crops up every few weeks afterwards in various guises, citing different sources, still looking for the Thing to be cancelled, recent ones being a large JP publisher posting full page editorial, then later doctors calling for it to postpone) and now the next in line ... all this urge-esque from the media makes me believe we are soon entering the 'contemplating secondary measures...' from the old chaps in charge and the envitable happens.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The cries are becoming a chorus, a chorus becoming a thunderous cacophany for change.

Keep up the pressure!

12 ( +12 / -0 )

 the newspaper said in its editorial under a headline that read: "We Demand PM Suga Decide Cancellation."

Is this another hackpiece?

What I saw in asahi shimbun was this editorial:

EDITORIAL: Prime Minister Suga, please call off the Olympics this summer

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Im happy to hear this.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Wow! That one really caught me by surprise. I did not think a newspaper of this calibre and so connected to the Olympics would make such a statement.

I stand with the 80% of Japanese who want a postponement or cancellation.

I side with the Japanese citizens and not the IOC.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Very well written piece but it calls for postponement, not cancellation

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Paris (2024) and Los Angeles(2028) must be looking at their IOC contracts and cancellation clauses with a toothcomb, or if not, they should be! The Tokyo (2020) contract was so one-sided, no corporation would ever have signed it off.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

@ian - I believe the Japanese citizens would also support a postponement.

I would.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

But what about the children and their hopes and dreams?

But what about the people of Tohoku?

But what about signaling that the pandemic has been beaten?

But what about going back to normality?

But what about my entertainment?

/sarcasm off

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Now that almost all Olympic venues and facilities have been completed or refurbished, at least major construction companies couldn’t care less if the games will go ahead or be canceled. They’ve already been paid for their construction work.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

@Tokyo-Engr

That much is clear if the polls are to be believed.

I'm for shelving all olympics iterations until corruption has been rooted out.

Anyway, you seem to be deliberately avoiding the point of the post

2 ( +2 / -0 )

japan must continue with olympic! it is symbol of hope for to BEATING coronavirus!

I think too the Olympics must go on, not to show a symbol of whatever they pretend it to be, but to show to the Japanese people and the whole world, once and for all, what kind of people is running Japan (and what the Olympics have turned into). Maybe it will, finally, open the eyes of many Japanese as for what are the LDP's priorities.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

it calls for postponement, not cancellation

The headline is 夏の東京五輪 中止の決断を首相に求める - We ask the PM to make the decision to cancel the summer Tokyo Olympics

The editorial goes on to discuss why the games should not be held this summer; it does not suggest, as far as I can see from a quick skimming, a postponement to any other specific time.

The IOC have already mouthed off about 'no more postponements' - so no Tokyo Olympics this summer means No Tokyo Olympics.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

@ian

Anyway, you seem to be deliberately avoiding the point of the post

Your post was

Very well written piece but it calls for postponement, not cancellation

Not sure what I am ignoring. Are you indicating the title of this headline should be modified to indicate the paper calls for Postponement rather than Cancellation?

The quote from the article states:

"We cannot think it's rational to host the Olympics in the city this summer," the newspaper said in its editorial under a headline that read: "We Demand PM Suga Decide Cancellation."

I do not understand your point.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

My mistake then, sorry, I was referring to my first post

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Thanks @cleo for providing the details.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@Ian - no worries at all

Just had a quick look. What I found was that the headling of the Asahi article is:

EDITORIAL: Prime Minister Suga, please call off the Olympics this summer

And written in the body of the article is:

We demand that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga evaluate the situation calmly and objectively, and decide against holding the Olympics and Paralympics this summer.

I still believe the Asahi article makes a compelling argument for at least a postponment. I think we both agree it was a good article.

The unwillingness of the IOC to even consider postponing further is just mind boggling. They, the U.S. Government, and NBC do not seem to care one bit about the Japanese citizens who will be left here to deal with any possible repurcussions.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

That's because I think it's no longer possible to postpone, only cancel

3 ( +3 / -0 )

2022 is another venue

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I'd take it more seriously if Asahi goes further to quit an official partner for the Tokyo Olympics. Otherwise it proves that hypocrisy runs deep in media circles.

Below an interesting read. Asahi aside, several local outlets such as Yomiuri, Mainichi and Nikkei seem to play double-mouths and have been promoting the Games. I now wonder whether they would follow suit of Asahi.

日本メディアが五輪中止を言えない理由――新聞社の本社に行けばよく分かる

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/byline/takahashikosuke/20210525-00239740/

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Unfortunately, the Olympics have been decided.

All calls for cancellation now are good but it is only opportunistic. It should have been done from the start of the year

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

FULLY agreed.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I just looked at the title and did not read any posts. But I was shocked to know Asahi was a major

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Good for them. Bet the Yomiuri lot are checking with their LDP/Nippon Kaigi/Keidanren handlers on how to react.

Asahi will probably have a big payback scandal.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Well done Asahi Shimbun. *Pours third Asahi Dry :-)

5 ( +6 / -1 )

"We really need to know before the end of June,"

You think? But this is Japan, where they tell some people literally a week before the new fiscal year that they will be moving to another region/country the next week to work for a few years, so they probably still think they have time to choose.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

It's so easy to demand cancellation of the Olympics. But it's not so easy to do. Who's going to pay back the billions of dollars to the sponsors? Who's going to bear the brunt of lawsuits for loss of revenue from canceling the games? What explanation is acceptable for all those athletes that have worked many years to get to this point in their careers?

People are quick to jump on the bandwagon but I bet the very same people will be glued to their TV sets cheering on their compatriots.

Just get the games done and over with, so we can put all this behind us, and get on with our lives.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

The Asahi carries weight in the public forum, but the virus carries more in the hospitals and homes. Suga's Olympic hopes are now on the ropes.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

But I was shocked to know Asahi was a major

Why? How much do you actually know about Japan, and the media here?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

It's so easy to demand cancellation of the Olympics. But it's not so easy to do. Who's going to pay back the billions of dollars to the sponsors? Who's going to bear the brunt of lawsuits for loss of revenue from canceling the games?

If the lawsuits are filled in Japanese courts then no one because no Japanese court would side with the IOC for refusing to cancel if Japan is under a state of emergency.

If filled in any other country the Japanese government can just ignore the suits because they have no jurisdiction over Japan.

What explanation is acceptable for all those athletes that have worked many years to get to this point in their careers?

Poor poor athletes, I feel so bad for them, NO I don't!

What about all the businesses that have been closed due to covid, what about all the places that have permanently closed and the mom and pop owners have lost everything they worked for.

The Athletes will live, they will compete in whatever the next international competition happens once covid is over. Most will get another chance in 2024 just 3 years away.

My own business is basically dead, my clients could not function under the covid rules and the dominos affect basically ended businesses that serviced them.

I will survive, I will never retire as I am now using that money,

Will my business pick up after covid no idea it depends on if my clients reopen or others start businesses that need my services.

So please stop the poor poor Athletes most are young band have plenty of time ahead of them.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

It’s worth reading the article that @PIM posted.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/25/sports/olympics/tokyo-olympics-cancel.html

The IOC safety preparations are beyond a joke. They are truly frightening.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

It is worth asking- who owns these media sources, and what is their political agenda?

There seems to be media noise about cancelling the Olympics, which is not backed by science, but only "polls" that they create.

Anyone know?

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

I can’t understand the paper printing this! Seems just to follow the poll numbers of those against the Olympics to me to gain readership.

The only reason I can imagine is that the Asahi Shimbun must be part of The Great Covid Conspiracy...

0 ( +3 / -3 )

It is worth asking- who owns these media sources, and what is their political agenda?

There seems to be media noise about cancelling the Olympics, which is not backed by science, but only "polls" that they create.

Anyone know?

Seriously, not backed by science?

Every single medical paper, the doctors associations, most recently the New England journal of medicine all scientific all calling for cancellation based on facts and science.

The IOC is based on promises not back up by anything not even a single fact. It's playbook isn't even completed and will tell us the details only "some time" next month.

It is incredibly that people can post false statements when right here on JT the articles about the medical groups opposing and the fact based reasons they are opposed to the Olympics and why they need to be cancelled.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

People are quick to jump on the bandwagon but I bet the very same people will be glued to their TV sets cheering on their compatriots.

It is always this way. I have been reading this site for awhile. People who are complaining were many of the same people that were whining when Tokyo won the bid. They also complain about each Olympics violating human rights then turn around and comment about the events right after they happen.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Well, as the 2nd largest circulating world-wide major newspaper, Ashai should, not only decline official partnership and bear 6billion yen loss, but also swear never treat Olympics on the front page nor on any pages.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

We believe the IOC’s determination to proceed with the Olympic Games is not informed by the best scientific evidence. The playbooks maintain that athletes participate at their own risk, while failing both to distinguish the various levels of risk faced by athletes and to recognize the limitations of measures such as temperature screenings and face coverings. Similarly, the IOC has not heeded lessons from other large sporting events. 

From the New England journal of medicine.

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2108567

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Well, as the 2nd largest circulating world-wide major newspaper, Ashai should, not only decline official partnership and bear 6billion yen loss, but also swear never treat Olympics on the front page nor on any pages.

Red Herring.

The deal was made long ago, the money payed to JOC/IOC.

Nothing they can do about that anymore.

They are clearly making a stand now and the idea they can run around removing their name from everything is just looking for a reason to complain.

It has far more impact that a paper that paid millions to have Olympic partnership is now calling for the cancellation is far bigger than a non sponsor doing so, it means they have a lot to loose by their stance.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

 Asahi is typically liberal-leaning and often opposes the ruling party led by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

Everything I needed to know right there.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

This from the Asahi. A very disturbing thing that could very well happen:

...more than 90,000 athletes and Olympic-related personnel will be entering Japan. And even if there won't be any spectators at the Games, there will be far more than one hundred of thousands of people coming together, if volunteers are added to the equation.

All these people will go home when the Games are over. There is no discounting the possibility that after virus carriers from around the world have converged in Japan, the virus will then scatter to all over the world.

Since Coats is concerned with money, let him think about this: The Olympics may well be sued and prosecuted out existence because of the pandemic.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The iaea and the who have said the Olympics are safe from radiation and the coronavirus. What are they on about?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

As said before, people should listen to the WHO conference not just read what IOC said about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7ei_B-Z8rM&t=975s

The question posed was around 16:20 : I was wondering, 2 months away from the Olympics, is there any safe way for it to happen ?

The first reply was from Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, but these were cut in the link given on the IOC website even thought Dr Maria Van Kerkhove "is the technical lead of COVID-19 response". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Van_Kerkhove

I should have purposely getting rid of anything else than "um" but you should make sure to listen to it by yourselves.

You ask a very specific question, I am going to give you a very vague answer. There are a lot of things that are happening right now. Globally, we are seeing an increase in cases around the world. We have reached the higher level of cases incidence. The number of deaths that are being reported around the world is really shocking this late into a pandemic when we have the tools at hand that can prevent infections, that can prevent those who are infected from spreading to others and to prevent people from dying. One of the biggest ways in which we know can limit the spread is around our physical distancing and reducing the number of contacts that we have. Having said that, what we advise in every situation is taking a risk-based approach because the situation globally is very different, the intensity of transmission is very different and so at an individual level we are asking everyone to know what your risk is through that activity and take measure to lower your risk : practice your physical distancing, wearing a mask, avoid crowded spaces, make sure you have good ventilation if you are indoors, it is as simple as opening the windows if it is safe to do so, practice respiratory etiquette, get a vaccine when it's you turn, avoid mass gatherings and when there are events that are taking place we support countries and using this risk-based approach to take the decision about if an event can happen. This is for the Olympics as well as for having a barbecue in your home. Don't forget that even though there is a lot of attention for big gathering like the Olympics like religious festivals like political rallies, there's also a risk at even some of theses small gatherings at your home. It depends on where you live, it depends on how much virus is circulating, it depends on if there are appropriate measures that could be put in place to have a plan for case detection, for early recognition, for caring of those individuals, fr contact tracing, a good communication plan. It also matters about the vaccine allocation and vaccine rollout in individual countries so my answer is vague because it matters for every single event, every single gathering that is happening worldwide right now. What we really need, is everyone around the world to take measure to keep yourself safe, to minimize exposure to this virus and the virus variants and make sure you don't allow the virus to spread.

After that is the intervention of Dr Michael J. Ryan from which IOC take quote. It is far longer and that IOC and people here try to make it sound like. You should listen to it in full too.

Dr Michael J. Ryan "is executive director of the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Programme, leading the team responsible for the international containment and treatment of COVID-19" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_J.Ryan(doctor)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I do now believe that the Olympics is a Threat To National Security and MUST be stopped immediately, I also believe that those who are advocating the games should be investigated possibly prosecuted for their support of this threat knowing that it is a threat.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

非常事態宣言ですが、「外出禁止令」を尊重しません

 彼らは社会的距離を尊重しません

 誤ったマスクの使用

 それらのために、コロナウイルスの症例が増加します

 事前にオリンピックのせいにしないでください。

Although it is a state of emergency, we do not respect the "household ban"

 They do not respect social distance

 Use of wrong mask

 Because of them, the number of cases of coronavirus increases

 Don't blame the Olympics in advance.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

in tokyo the nightclubs are open every day. crowded and nobody does anything. And they want to blame the Olympics in advance. tokyo2020YeS

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Cancelling the games will show the world that Japan is unable to meet its commitments and obligations and should never again be considered as a host for any international gathering.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Yes, to the Olympics! Japan needed to vaccinate at the same rate as other countries did however they took their time and now they're rushing to vaccinate people. A lot of people posting on this forum are alarmist and they jump into whatever bandwagon that makes them look righteous. If you are so afraid of the virus stay home do not expose yourself by going to the Olympics or going nearby... The research is out and it has been out in regards to Corona but people still virtue signaling in regards to the entire thing. These are the same people that will virtue signal for anything because I guess they're not heard in their countries therefore they think their opinion matter here... Go Olympics.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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