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Japan to stage Tokyo Olympics without overseas spectators

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How about no overseas competitors? Even better for Japan, Inc.

58 ( +73 / -15 )

And without any domestic interest either.

If they hold an Olympics and nobody cares, does it make a sound? Mixing metaphors before coffee - not the best idea, but then neither are these games...

52 ( +58 / -6 )

If the vaccine rollout had been as vigorous in Japan as in the US and UK, and if the government was positive and pro-active on the proposal of vaccine passports, maybe the story would have turned out differently.

Alas, Japan hesitated. It demanded it do its own clinical testing on vaccines already approved overseas on 200 people (of limited medical value) on the assumption that Japanese people are biologically different from everyone else on the planet. That attitude seems to go against the spirit of the Olympics anyway.

"He who hesitates is lost."

42 ( +52 / -10 )

The government has concluded that welcoming fans from abroad is not possible given concerns among the Japanese public over the coronavirus ...

Solution: Stop procrastinating. Start vaccinating.

39 ( +45 / -6 )

No overseas fans, no cheering, likely no records as the athletes haven’t been able to prepare properly.

seriously, why bother? They would have been so much better to put it off until later. These “ Olympics” will be nothing but a testament to the stupidity and greed of the human race.

47 ( +51 / -4 )

I still think we should postpone and give it more time. The rush to host the Olympics will have serious consequences if we get it wrong.

In the news lately more forms of Covid19 which has mutated, evolved, we don't know how affective vaccines are against the new type of Covid.

15 ( +21 / -6 )

Of course! Yesterday’s ‘news’ headline was just softening the blow for today: ”More than 75% of Japanese don't want overseas fans at Olympics: poll” - Great ‘Olympic Spirit’! - Your xenophobia and isolationism has always worked so well for Japan. Gambare! 75% working class! - Now, get back to work to support the 1% who got rich on this ‘international scam’ -

27 ( +36 / -9 )

That was an easy and obvious decision, tougher ones are ahead. So easy to be a naysayer but if somehow Japan can pull this off, where we are now, with only 4 months to go I'll be very impressed.

-10 ( +6 / -16 )

In fact, I truly hope these Games are a complete failure.

If i read comments like that, I just can shake my head.

Why do people hope the Olympics to become a complete failure?

Just to show the government that they made a mistake?

I don't know if this poster is living in Japan, because normaly you should wish the best for your country where you are living, and not the worst.

Let me tell you what will happen if the Olympics will turn out worse:

Number 1, Japan will lose a lot of money. And they want to have it back! How?

By increasing our tax. And then everyone will complain about increasing tax!

Number two, if they let overseas spectators into Japan and after the Olympics the Corona cases will increase a lot, who will Japan blame? Us! The foreigners.

All blame for increasing Corona cases will come to us foreigners. And that will make our life as a foreigner more difficult in Japan.

So you guys should better hope, that the Olympics will turn out succesful, instead of hoping it will be a failure.

-16 ( +22 / -38 )

This is a creative excuse to be used to account for the number of countries that will choose not to come anyway. (Good luck with your next domestic tourist campaign in the stagnant economy.) Japan’s isolationism and xenophobic policies across all spectrums: sports, medicine, law enforcement, immigration, etc have always been an effective ‘business model’ for only the rich, power brokers here.

18 ( +26 / -8 )

Not much talk of a 'symbol of beating the virus' now, eh?

While about 1 million overseas spectators were estimated to enter Japan, some 4.45 million tickets have already been sold in the country, of which about 810,000 requests for refund have been made so far.

So, limiting the number of spectators by 1/5? I realise this doesn't show the full picture, but it is more an indication J officials don't want to have to deal with unorderly foreigners while holding an international event. Have their cake and eat it, so to say.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

What about an online Olympics for the individual events.

Every athletes in their home countries do start the event in the same time, then we compare the results at the end. It would be possible for marathon. Then in some countries, fans will come and cheer. Better than a voiceless Tokyo Stadium. Sorry, for the marathon, it will be in Sapporo

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Well just one more reason not to watch! I will be off the week of the start of the games.....

"Gone Fishing" sign will be posted on my desk!

20 ( +23 / -3 )

What an absolute flustercuck this has become - all to satisfy the greed of corporate entities.

27 ( +29 / -2 )

This sports day/week was sold on helping the Tsunami disaster victims. 10 years on the government help has proven to be a disaster as yesterday's story told. The stadium ended up a legal mess, the death of the architect seems to have made matters easier. The marathon moved to Sapporo. The summer heat/ humidity, no visitors, no cheering, no parties! No economic boost, participants on lockdown then required to leave strait after their event. Was gained on the back of disaster, got the sympathy vote paid the bribes and now we are here a sports day nobody can attend, truly the disaster games. Bill is in the mail.

34 ( +34 / -0 )

it is expected to separately consider what to do with foreign spectators to be invited by corporate sponsors of the games.

Everyone knows corporate sponsorship, like the international business travel permitted before all others, confers COVID-19 immunity. Nothing bad can come from someone wearing a nice suit and tie.

20 ( +20 / -0 )

How about no overseas competitors? Even better for Japan, Inc.

agree 100%. If i was competing, I would just boycott the whole event

For the J- Inc moneeeey naturally, you are welcome Dentsu & co , J- taxpayers will obediently foot the financial losses as long as you profit and politicians get their kickbacks.

Sugoi! You understand Japanese culture well.

Well just one more reason not to watch! I will be off the week of the start of the games.....

"Gone Fishing" sign will be posted on my desk!

SAME

This is a creative excuse to be used to account for the number of countries that will choose not to come anyway. (Good luck with your next domestic tourist campaign in the stagnant economy.) Japan’s isolationism and xenophobic policies across all spectrums: sports, medicine, law enforcement, immigration, etc have always been an effective ‘business model’ for only the rich, power brokers here.

EXACTLY! WELL SAID!

16 ( +18 / -2 )

This sports day/week was sold on helping the Tsunami disaster victims. 10 years on the government help has proven to be a disaster as yesterday's story told. The stadium ended up a legal mess, the death of the architect seems to have made matters easier. The marathon moved to Sapporo. The summer heat/ humidity, no visitors, no cheering, no parties! No economic boost, participants on lockdown then required to leave strait after their event. Was gained on the back of disaster, got the sympathy vote paid the bribes and now we are here a sports day nobody can attend, truly the disaster games. Bill is in the mail.

that's the LDP for you. Their MO is to use the people as a sympathy card without doing ANYTHING at all for them. They used the suffering of those in Tohoku to get the Olympics and line their pockets the same way they used the North Korean abduction issue and the grief of their families as an election tool. They treat Japan as if it was their own Toy Factory to play with. Disgusting people with 0 shame.

20 ( +23 / -3 )

Surely nothing diminishes the seven Olympic values of friendship, excellence, respect, courage, determination, inspiration and equality more than the host country saying "no foreigners allowed".

Cancel the damn Olympics.

22 ( +23 / -1 )

Well that's a big surprise..... For nobody!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

the government will also have to review its growth strategy, given that expectations for inbound visitors to revive the Japanese economy were high

And there we have it ... the Olympics is treated by 'leaders' as a money making scheme to continue the illusion the Economic Growth (getting more money!) is more important any anything else.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

The best course for the government now would be to invest all available funds into inventing a time machine, then send someone back in time to prevent Ishihara from ever bidding on the stupid games in the first place.

20 ( +20 / -0 )

the government will also have to review its growth strategy, given that expectations for inbound visitors to revive the Japanese economy were high

And there we have it ... the Olympics is treated by 'leaders' as a money making scheme to continue the illusion the Economic Growth (getting more money!) is more important any anything else.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

"He who hesitates is lost."

So true, but this isn't the country of quick and rational decision making. Its the country of "mustn't be too hasty and reckless."

13 ( +13 / -0 )

I am deeply ashamed of my profession and the self interest and egoism shown by so many in the business.

No foreign fans, no cheering, no singing, no attending torch relay, no fun allowed.

All while a postponement to 2022 makes a normal Olympics very possible because of the vaccine, a major difference with the previous postponement.

No need to extend the use of the Olympic village, as the athletes and coaches would give a seriously ill hotel sector 100.000 extra nights. Jtb and dentsu should think how much they can make off that compared to zero in 2021.

20 ( +20 / -0 )

Definitely the worst Olympics in history on many levels. Talk about hypocrisy! Foreign athletes, but no foreign spectators? How about those overseas who purchased tickets? Will they get some form of compensation?

14 ( +15 / -1 )

I long for a world where I can go a whole day without hearing about the Tokyo Olympics....

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Political payouts, self-dealing, corruption, waste, poor decision making, and letting the working class suffer the consequences...you'd think this was America.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Every athletes in their home countries do start the event in the same time, then we compare the results at the end. It would be possible for marathon.

Don't think that would work. They could all start at the same time, but it couldn't be made fair if they are running in different locations. Sure they run the same distance, but elevation changes in the race, altitude, wind speed and direction all come into play. The only way they run the same race is if they are in the same location.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

To push their stupidity at a higher level, they may offer tickets to all foreigners and/or to pay some of them in order to show to the world all "colors" in the stadium....trillions stolen to the society that could have been used for tohoku, hoikuen etc...

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Well, as long as all the big countries all send a team I think we are in for an absolute treat.

Think comparing them to the Berlin Olympics is a little OTT.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

As a on topic comment what's happening with the $1.5million paid to the Mori company that dissolved after receiving that money, what was it used for? Where did that tax payer money go? Was it used for the Olympics? Or did "someone" just pocket it? The machinations of old men in suits are truly vile.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

What about the overseas people that have been vaccinated? Why not let those watch?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

This is the guarantee that this will cancel the Olympics. Overseas networks are not going to spend cash to cover an Olympics where there are only the locals and cheering is not allowed.

Good job shooting yourselves in your xenophoebic feet.

11 ( +15 / -4 )

no reason to have 80,000 volunteers either

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Let us replace the five circles with one rising sun.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

I like the Olympics. ; ^ )

0 ( +7 / -7 )

To be the biggest hurdle is still domestic travel, many prefectures still have requests not to travel to Tokyo.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Extremely SAD but understandable, let's get it over with and move on.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I knew it that it would end like this.

A vivid example of victory of humanity over this pandemic as wisely stated by their PM.

Morevoer for the J-media it will be irrelevant if these gaijin will attend or not their Olympics.

They will only care that in the Olympics annals there are the words Japan and golden medals written.

And we all do know that this will bring a heavy advantage for the host country.

Then better get rid of foreign athletes as well and let Japan auto celebrate it’s triumph.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

But, foreigners with valid visa, permanent residents or Japanese citizens will still be able to return from abroad. Despite staying there more than 2 weeks. Heck, even one minute in the airplane may be enough to infect you. Talk about half-hearted solution... Why not let anyone in instead? Completely close the country like pre-Perry days?

Another day and another erratic move. Steps based on emotions and definitely not facts. Maybe it'll be better to think first, then do. Less time-wasting meetings and discussions, more thinking and then action. It's like our government absolutely doesn't care about how Japan is perceived abroad and doesn't care it looks useless and incompetent.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

A thought, understateing your salery is a heinous crime in Japan, why are Prosecuters not following the magical disappearing tax payer money?

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Not a surprise, the choice was between selectively allowing spectators which would have raised issues with discrimination.

The committee now needs to proceed with refunding foreign ticket holders and it is expected to separately consider what to do with foreign spectators to be invited by corporate sponsors of the games.

I suspect they will not allow spectators invited by sponsors too.

On the positive I have much better chances of landing tickets, failed in both lotteries earlier.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

They should have cut their losses and canned the whole thing last year... Oh well...

9 ( +11 / -2 )

The committee now needs to proceed with refunding foreign ticket holders and it is expected to separately consider what to do with foreign spectators to be invited by corporate sponsors of the games.

Clearly they are are expecting the guests of foreign sponsors to be less infectious than the plebs paying for their own way and for theri own tickets.

Someone needs to remind the Japanese government that this virus doesnt discriminate based on wealth and power.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Will foreign spectators want to come or be allowed to come ( or return) by their countries. Once the Japanese variant becomes entrenched in Japan, Japan will be on countries red lists like the UK and South Africa. Of course Japan is trying hard to avoid the variant being called that for this very reason so it came from overseas of course.( but how with their stringent measures)

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Well then, resident foreigners should go and cheer for the athletes from their countries of birth. You may be in a minority of one, but be that guy.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

From Kyodo this time, not a foreign newspaper. Is this an official leak?

Japanese reporting today says the IOC wants sponsors' guests to attend. It sounds like there is more to come on this, maybe even something we we've been told was "unthinkable".

This leak says no fans for the Paraolympics either. Excuse me if this is me dismissing it as a sporting contest, but would competitors actually want to come without their families?

After this, next up is the country with a million plus in concentration camps. The "Olympic spirit" indeed.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

@kyushubill: Overseas Networks will be more than happy to cough up. Advertising Revenue. Live Televised Sport...as has been proven since sports restarted post the first wave..an absolute winner.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I like the Olympics. ; ^ )

I also like the Olympics, too. However, this one has been a total mess about just about everything. People here have been seeing the real intentions of the city and committee (money, self-interest, politics, self-pride, etc.). I think this Olympics has brought the worst in many people, and it's just not worth it in the end.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Bad news for overseas fans who want to come but could be good for those living here because more tickets will be available

4 ( +7 / -3 )

It would have been better have the Olympics, fully open to everyone, in 2022.

The pent-up economy is coming, the signs are everywhere.

There's a record number of people planning vacations for the after-covid and China is incidentally holding the winter Olympics just at the right time.

Japan could have the 2022 "Summer" Olympics right after China's, without COVID and lots of people wanting to travel and spend money.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

@pepelepew: I totally agree, but that has been ruled out. I actually think rolling the entire Olympic Calendar +4 years would have been a good idea. I'm sure both Paris and LA would prefer the extra time and economic recovery before staging the games.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I guess so @expat - Whatever capacity they decide on will be the key. Could well be 100% by then.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Fair enough. The risks of infection for all are too much.

But am saddened by the fact that many Japanese and right wing Americans still feel threatened by the rest of the world.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Most overseas spectators would be afraid of catching COVID and/or one of its more virulent strains in Tokyo than in their home country. A thousand plus new cases every week and 400 odd recorded cases of the more virulent strains just in Tokyo. I wouldn’t be busting any humps to get to Tokyo regardless of the Olympic event.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

With all the new strains of COVID popping up in Japan (the 4th wave), we'd all be better off to just cancel the whole affair.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

For those arguing that oversea networks will not want to sponsor / attended, think again. Athletes will still show up, all those individuals that wanted to come and watch it live, still want to see the Olympics. What will the next best thing be? Watch it on TV. Pay-per-view, etc, you name it. I could argue that now their will be even MORE people watching the Olympics through their TVs, setting up the perfect opportunity to advertise etc.

In the end, Japan can't afford to cancel at this point. So much money was been sunk in it, it would be a catastrophic failure if the Olympics didn't go through, for the government. Will the government come out in the green? Probably not, but at this point its a pride issue. If the government cancels then that means they failed. Its that simple.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

2022 or nothing (2024 not possible alas).

All fans or nothing.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

it is expected to separately consider what to do with foreign spectators to be invited by corporate sponsors of the games.

Ok we all knew people from overseas will not be allowed, basically official now.....

BUT if they allow private jets from ATL full of COKE FOLKS & similar ilk from other sponsors etc to come that is way way BEYOND obscene!!!

But hey it is THEIR games & they WILL want to mingle & drink champagne & traverse nice carpets etc....

Its a nasty business!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

If Biden pulls the USA out of the Olympics, then it is game over for Japan.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

...as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus...

Now they are on the right path and just should finally have the kindness to explain to themselves why or why not also the athletes, in line or in contrast to spectators, will or will not spread the coronaviruses.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Without overseas spectators? Then don't call it Olympics Games, just rename it as Japan's Games 2021. How about that?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

A missed opportunity 12 months ago to move Olympics to 2024. A guaranteed perfect games with only the older athletes disappointed. No silly me that’s logical

1 ( +2 / -1 )

As someone with tickets to the games, I would prefer a vaccinated and tested foreigner sitting next to me than a Japanese. I understand this makes it a lot simpler for the organizers, but I'm worried that come summer and the inevitable drop in infections they will decide to fill the stadiums to capacity...

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Excellent. One step closer to cancelling The Games. The Japanese citizenry, with a large majority, opposes The Games, LDP should try 'listening' to The People, at least for once.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

@ikejin

A strong argument against 2022 was never presented (as far as I know)

@Jonathan Prin

2022 or nothing

For one, 2022 is impossible due to the Olympic Village. The thousands of apartments built to house the athletes are to be turned into residences and sold to thousands of Japanese families. Many have already been pre-bought. Another delay would probably result in lawsuits. Many people even arranged their kids school future based on relocating to here.

Not to mention 2022 is the football World Cup, and the 2022 World Athletics Championship which were originally set for 2021 and would need to be rescheduled again.

And then there is all the training for athletes, who want to be peak condition (and many intended to retire after completing the Games). As well as qualifying, which many who already qualified from last year are being held over for this year. Would it be right for someone who qualified in 2020 to participate in 2022 (and deny an up and coming athlete)? Or better to deny them their chance, even though they already qualified?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The pandemic, the slow rollout of a vaccine, the drip, drip of more erroneous restrictions. The ever growing day by day increasing cost to J Tax payers.

The Tokyo Olympics, of whatever year, is beginning to resemble a sports concentration camp, masquerading as an international, by name only, competitive physical games event.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

@ Monty

Number 1 :

No foreign spectators means Japan will never see significant part of its money back. People of Japan and local japanese sponsors paid for peanuts. No way to stop tax increase now.

Number two :

There will be enough foreigner at these games : athletes, journalists, sponsors and co, to give ground to the foreigners brought the virus.

See the narrative about who brought the variant to the country.

Hope that will give a lesson to every countries around the world to not host these giantik scam.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@Flute - Why the constant talk of extra taxes? The money has already been spent.

Japan will lose more if THEY choose to cancel the games. It is a decision for the IOC at the end of the day. If Japan cancel on their terms then the losses will be even greater.

Better to have the domestic ticket sales..

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

If Biden pulls the USA out of the Olympics, then it is game over for Japan.

I'm sure of that, and or Canada, Australia, or other largely sponsored countries. Trudeau said to Suga, "I'll get back to you on that," when asked if Trudeau will be sending Canadians to the Olympics.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Reuters reporter informed about this and asked Psaki (Whitehouse Press Sec.) if Biden will reconsider US attending. Her response, "Pres. Biden is very concerned about the safety of our athletes and press corps. It is likely the medical advice from the CDC and the science could very well say to keep Americans home. Japan is in the middle of a third spike as we speak."

5 ( +6 / -1 )

@theResident

wrong target

I said nowhere that it will cost no money to Japan to unilateraly cancel the games. I am perfectly aware that they are bound by a shitty contract thus have no choice but to take the economic fall one way or another when IOC will manage to reduce their benefice loss as they hold TV right. It is why I said the whole system is a scam and no countries should bid for these in future as they are now. The one which already signed the contract are just screwed, unfortunately.

My answer was about the statement that tax will increase if the games are not successful. The games were paid on debt moreover the extracosts, it was supposed to be partially paid back from money generated from the Games short and long term. Lot of fresh foreign money is not coming, sponsor also will not get it thus will have to make up for the loss. Be it country or companies, they will have to get money somehow. Tax will be the easy way out for the country. Perhaps they will not and just print. But the games being successfull or not is of no concern.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@Flute: If you haven't noticed, they already have been printing for a while now! Cost of Olympics irrelevant to taxpayer compared to cost of Covid.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

PS : I forgot to mention all business which invested money in the hope of getting it back from olympic and will also have to recover it one way or another.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The government has concluded that welcoming fans from abroad is not possible given concerns among the Japanese public over the coronavirus and the fact that more contagious variants have been detected in many countries, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

But businessmen, foreign athletes, and Japanese passport holders are more than ok to enter without issue. Gotta love the double standard culture of Japan.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@shogun36: As are foreign residents!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

No spectators because the public is sceptical? We are sceptical about fukushima dai ichi, more. I guess this is their way of saying the vaccines are not very effective. Is t the virus supposed to mutate out of existence like influenza did?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

If it pushes thru at least detractors can tell friends abroad everything's so slow here in Japan the 2021 Olympics was held 2022

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The government is the source of too many problems!

if they are going to ban overseas visitors, why not ban Japanese viewers too?

Japanese folks are plenty infected with COVID as well

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Sounds like the only way to go forward, without postponing the games for another year. Too bad, but not much choice. Watching the competitors on TV will still be enjoyable, even with near empty stands.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

The whole thing is becoming more and more of a joke with every day...

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Plenty of tickets now for all Japanese at discounted prices. When can we order?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There should be way out. Olympics with out spectators is not the best option. So i suggest if 5000 will be taken, for instance, it should be reduced to 1500 and the should be adequate distancing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan to stage Tokyo Olympics without overseas spectators

Exactly as expected. No surprise there. So much of life has gone to zoom et al by, i wonder why anyone is surprised. Why should the Olympics be different from everything else?

That said, I hope this stupid Corona panic comes to an end soon.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I am in the U.S. at present. I watch NHK news daily. Just today (Wednesday, March 10, 2021) NHK reported that the Japanese government was to decide this by the end of March--as no final decision regarding external visitors to the Olympics had been decided. So if that is true, why is Japantoday reporting otherwise? Makes me question as to whether the moderator reads what is printed, or simply places items on their website in order to obtain revenue. Further, if the Japanese government has not decided this question, one would think that a follow up story to this question/topic would be provided on this website. Reporting in this age today seems suspect. READERS BEWARE.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@samuraitim22@gmail.com

The news is from Kyodo (japanese news agency).

officials with knowledge of the matter said

It clearly state that it is not the official announcement yet. They are possibly checking the weather. If that displease you, this mean, it is time to be vocal.

JT is a news aggregator. They pick up news from different sources they found will gather to their audience and provide them a space to exchange about it. They barely produce content. If you want follow up, you should go to the original source or other news sites (for example) :

https://english.kyodonews.net/

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/

https://mainichi.jp/english/

...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Hope the competitors decline to come, realizing they are only being allowed in for Japan to show itself off. If Japan is scared of foreign fans, why is it not scared of the athletes? They are scared because the people are foreign after all, which is racist. If that's not the case, why are Japanese nationals being allowed to come back from abroad to see the Games? For those that say it is not racism, answer that. Again, a Japanese from Britain is allowed back in to watch the Games, but a Briton is not. If it's not racism, why?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Very suspicious. Definitely “pressure” on this guy from nefarious corners. The Olympics is insured by Allianz. It can be cancelled or postponed.

Oh....hang on Bach, you’re a German and patriot .....and Allianz is .... German.....and they will want a bailout for the mother of all losses from .... the German government. Guess there’s a bit of pressure on the guy and a very full account in a Swiss bank to match it.

Postpone to 2022, then we in Japan can get some of our money back and athletes, spectators and “we the people” will be safe too. Otherwise, take responsibility for every death caused by the deadly variants from countries like Bolsonaro’s Brazil which has re-infected the previously immune people of Manus.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It clearly state that it is not the official announcement yet. They are possibly checking the weather. If that displease you, this mean, it is time to be vocal

The headline is pretty unambiguous.

I'm not sure the Government has much choice here, though. The news is full of horror stories of uncontrolled spread of infection in all sorts of countries either through lack of access to health systems or a large proportion of the citizenry that refuses to take precautions. The populace doesn't draw a distinction between "responsible foreigners" and just "foreigners." Suga would be hung out to dry if he failed to listen to the people who pay his salary.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Gold, Silver and Bronze in the Olympic vocabulary now refer to preferable precious metal, tolerable semi-precious metal and hard-earned cash. Podium positions for athletes must not be confused with income for the Lords of the Rings.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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