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© Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Tokyo Olympics may allow foreign fans but there will be rules
By STEPHEN WADE TOKYO©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
30 Comments
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Freddy Freeway
Grab some popcorn and enjoy watching the powers that be fumble around and butcher this one
Aly Rustom
What a brown nosing article.
Cricky
If it does go ahead, doesn't sound like fun at all. A rule book?, to enjoy a highly priced day in stinking heat? To watch the handful of Atherletes who risk attending, really what an expensive day out with a rule book tucked under your arm.
Mocheake
As if everyone here follows all the rules all the time. Can you control the movements and behavior of Japanese? For all you people new to this, when you get past all that 'omotenashi' garbage, superficial bowing and fake smiling, this is Japan in a nutshell. They want your money but definitely don't want you and are already blaming any and all foreigners before anyone has even arrived or the Games have started. I seriously hope foreigners stay away in droves and the Games are a huge loss. They'll blame foreigners for that too but I don't care. Never will they change.
Pukey2
Is there also a hotline where we can also snitch on Japanese who don't obey the rules too? I've seen plenty.
Keywords: nearly and nearly. We've had a 'lockdown' whereby no penalties were dished out to those flouting the rules, or should I say, suggestions. In some countries, you could get into serious trouble if you don't wear a mask, so it's not like Japan is doing its best. And Japan is one of the worst in East Asia when it comes to covid stats.
My advice to foreign spectators - don't come. Spend your money on something else or somewhere where you'd be more appreciated.
Crashpilot
Cancel that whole thing!
Why throw good money after an already ridiculous amount of bad money.
Do not pretend that those games could be even near to a success and at least try to be honest to the people. Do not waste taxpayer’s money anymore, ask for crowd funding that way people at least know that they throw their coin away. Bach will not like it, it is his organization that benefits most from the Olympics whether the organizers win or lose, the Olympic comity always wins.
I know a couple of people would lose their nice sounding titles and their generous income here in Japan but dismantling the full-blown organization will still take some time and I am certain the Japanese people will be happy to subsidize the remains gladly.
Ipanema Beach
Agree with others, I wish more than anything that the Olympics are cancelled and Japan suffers a major loss because of it. No expat with a bit of intelligence will be going to the Olympics next year
3RENSHO
[“I think it's difficult to control their movement and behavior,” a Japanese reporter said, speaking in Japanese.]
TRANSLATION: "(Foreign spectators) are impossible to control and their wildly unpredictable behavior goes against all Japanese norms, therefore they must be prohibited" a Japanese reporter said, preaching to the choir.
natsu823
It was reported last night on nhk Olympic fans will not have 14 day quarintine and can use public transportation.
Business (big companies) is top priority in Japan.
cleo
What rules? There are no rules. Only common sense and suggestions. Granted, not everyone is on board with those.
There has been no lockdown in Japan. There was a State of Emergency during which the authorities, as you note, put out suggestions as to how people should behave. There were no rules incurring penalties for non-compliance, because the Japanese government does not have the power to impose such rules. As far as I can see, people in the main follow the suggestions.
They should give up on the Olympics. It isn't going to happen. If they are held, not many people are going to come and the whole thing will be an even bigger financial disaster than was originally planned. Just cut the losses, and if some people really really can't give up, try again in 2032.
Ipanema Beach
Great idea! Every expat I've seen wears masks and is socially distancing but hardly any Japanese do, let alone obey the rules, etc.. It's time to start snitching on the Japanese
Hideomi Kuze
Inhumane Tokyo 2020 that prioritizes to look like "successful Olympic" than health or safety of ordinal citizen.
Toasted Heretic
That's pretty unpleasant to say, you want our economy to worsen? Why, how will that help things?
You're aware that many expats are working on the project - some of whom haven't seen their families in quite some time? They aren't all corporate types with money to spare - there's plenty of people working to send money home to families and they go where the work takes them.
And, if the circumstances improve, I'll hopefully be using my tickets to attend the Games.
Odd, I've seen as many fellow foreigners not wearing masks, as are. Varies from location to location, attitude to attitude, I guess.
Bizarre. Most Japanese (that I see daily) wear the masks. The few exceptions appear to be the occasional elderly man, or young guys. Overall, I see compliance.
Why live here if it's that bad?
robert maes
First, abominable standards for this article. Fast food journalism or copywriting.
Muto San does not have a clue what he is talking about. Parachuted in. Damn parachute regretfully worked and now he sits there.. and sits there.. and...
Bach should at least realize this is now The worst possible time to come and talk up the Olympics in this resurgence. He should wait for the wave to pass if he really wants to hold the games. Which i suspect he does not but needs to be seen performing due diligence for the cancellation insurers.
I don’t think they should waste much time talking about foreign visitors as there will be none except for the directly Involved.
As for the commercial impact , the sooner its cancelled the less is waisted. For commercial ROI for an Olympic we mostly refer to benefits for airlines, hotels, tourism as a whole, retail spending, electronics sales, Advertising, sports apparel.. don’t see any of that happening. These ROI’s are always overstated to begin with.
The athletes already have only 8 months to prepare. The horses for equestrian events have to be shipped here Feb/March. Not going to happen.
i think they should be cancelled but if they happen i will go see some outdoor events.Track and field, Archery, equestrian ( cross country) .
Aly Rustom
Probably the best post I have read all month! I concur 1000%!
Agree. And good Advice to follow.
Another good post!! Hear!! Hear!!
El Rata
Come on! Cancel that thing already. Japan will probably be fine by then but, after all the economic devastation brought by the overblown pandemic, I don't think other countries would like to spend money on sending athletes to a watered-down sports event when they'll have more important things to worry about. It is a shame, I was really looking forward to the games, but this is not only about Japanese but a worldwide event.
Richard Gallagher
To dub the prospect of holding the Olympic Games foolish, doesn't come close, it is completely mental. Let alone allowing foreign tourists from the likes of the USA, Europe or other places where the virus is surging and essentially out of control.
The various comments extolling the virtues of foreigners and deriding Japanese when it comes to protocols regarding masks and such, reflects a very odd attitude for a guest. The denigration of polite custom betrays either ignorance or a deep prejudice. As it is said, Yanqui go home.
An excellent comment by Mr. Maes. Thank you.
natsu823
Hope there is a vaccine by then.
Japan mulls exempting Olympic, Paralympic fans from abroad from 14-day quarantine
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20201112/p2a/00m/0na/024000c
Tommy Eddy Kookabura
Olympics lol...never gonna happen
Goodlucktoyou
Rule 1. Pre entry virus test.
rule 2. Entry virus test.
rule 3. Government organized transport to specially prepared 2 week quarantine accommodation with security guards and tracking bracelets. No outside contact.
rule 4. All personal possessions and clothing has to be treated with high dose UV light.
rule 5. Contact tracing devise must be accompanied at all times once released after two weeks.
rule 5. Virus test on Japan exit.
rule 6. No use of public transport during peak travel times.
rule 7. All events must have 1.5m social distancing. This includes lines for events, stores and toilets.
rule 8. All foreigners must purchase a ¥100000 2020 Tokyo Olympic Deposit Card (2020TODC) before departure from their home countries. This is nessary to pay instant fines for breaking Covid-19 Japanese safety laws. Social distancing fines and not wearing masks should be ¥10000 first offense then doubling etc for further violations. Leaving quarantine should incur ¥200000 to imprisonments for second violations.
rule 9. All entrants must have valid travel health insurance. This must include medical eviction if they have Covid-19 complications at their own cost. Hospital beds will give Japanese citizens first priority.
rule 10. Any athlete who is involved in a sport that requires less than 1.5 m physical contact should be quarantined for 2.5 weeks. No training.
Rule 11. All fines of virus rule violators should be distributed to Japanese volunteers expenses and not to the IOC or Tokyo government.
rule 12. Proof of vaccination does not exempt any overseas entrants, (athletes, trainers, support staff, team volunteers, IOC members, political officials, media crews, people on business, relatives of this grouping, promotion companies, spectators and tourists entering for non-Olympics activities).
rule 13. No entry will be allowed for any persons who come from a country that might lead to their citizens applying for asylum once on Japanese soil.
sign. I HEARBY AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
This is the only way to save the old and vulnerable citizens of Japan. The virus is already mutated in EU where new vaccines wont be effective.
please delay to 2020. if not, the diet should pass this proposal into law.
coskuri
No there is only one rule : either you do the Olympics and welcome every country, their athletes and spectators, or you don't do an international event.
Just cancel.
Thay can do Japanopics if they want.
3RENSHO
GoodlucktoyouToday 04:05 pm JST
rule 8. All foreigners must purchase a ¥100000 2020 Tokyo Olympic Deposit Card (2020TODC) before departure from their home countries. This is nessary to pay instant fines for breaking Covid-19 Japanese safety laws. Social distancing fines and not wearing masks should be ¥10000 first offense then doubling etc for further violations. Leaving quarantine should incur ¥200000 to imprisonments for second violations.
YES! NOW YOU ARE TALKING! MAKE IT ONE MILLION JPY YEN TODC AND YOU HAVE GOT A DEAL!
William77
it isn’t worth for foreigners to throw their money for a country that keep the blame to everything that is foreign.
Jim
Yes, I do know that Japanese blames foreigners recklessly for all bad incidents in Japan without blinking an eye! But this time they might have a point regarding the mask issue especially with Americans who keep defying the common knowledge and dispute that masks help protect against COVID-19 because of the stupid outgoing president! If these people are allowed into Japan then their reckless behavior will definitely be an issue! Not all foreigners are bad but almost 50% are! In comparison to Japanese where the number is far lower!
Sapporo
Here we go again! More social rules that foreign residents have to tiptoe around to make Japanese citizens happy and comfortable that we are here.