tokyo 2020 olympics

Anti-Olympic petition tops 200,000 signatures in just 2 days

103 Comments
By YURI KAGEYAMA and STEPHEN WADE

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103 Comments
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Yes good to see people’s awareness and calling a halt

53 ( +54 / -1 )

The Tokyo Olympics have become a face-saving exercise for Japan

Change “Japan” to “a few Japanese politicians and IOC officials” and this accurately states the only reason this stupid event is still on the schedule.

53 ( +53 / -0 )

What a bunch of losers. Imagine taking time out of your day to do that.

You are taking time out of your day to read and negatively comment on their actions.

73 ( +74 / -1 )

174,000 and counting.

Share it around, link on the second paragraph of this article!

Power to the people (something new in Japan)!

43 ( +44 / -1 )

174,001 as of now. ;-)

28 ( +29 / -1 )

Unless this group has a long history of donating large sums of money to the political campaigns of certain political parties its petition will be ignored...... like all others.

20 ( +21 / -1 )

For a government that has made clear the opinion of the citizens and experts mean nothing this petition amounts to even less, still good to see people being aware of the problems.

25 ( +26 / -1 )

Should read almost 200,000 signatures .... (and counting)

19 ( +20 / -1 )

Don't cancel it, and Don't postponed it, GET IT OVER WITH.

-39 ( +2 / -41 )

Good on them. Most Japanese feel the same, as seen by polling.

Cancel this rubbish now. Start focusing on quickly addressing this disaster which is becoming WORSE.

If the olympics actually go ahead, it will be mocked and laughed at forever at as the worst in history.

32 ( +34 / -2 )

Awesome, I will sign today. Let’s do this!!

24 ( +25 / -1 )

Olympic athletes and officials from abroad may well bring new coronavirus variants into Japan. The Games should be canceled to protect health and lives of people living here.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Although 70-80% of Japanese citizens in polls say they want the Olympics canceled or postponed, there is no indication this will happen. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Tokyo organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto, and Bach have repeatedly said the games will go on as scheduled.

Idk... you might think these politicians are quite arrogant/stubborn to listen to the people's voice, but at the same time I want to believe all these people are just too tired to keep postponing/negotiating with sponsors etc. and just want to hold this event at once and be freed from this years longing burden. Am I being too naive?

-14 ( +1 / -15 )

Such opposition or protests to Olympics are not even reported on mainstream media of Japan yet despite serious issue that related to the lives of people.

Because Japan's mainstream media already chose to be stakeholders for Olympics than journalism or press freedom.

Public broadcast NHK who is most influencial channel in Japan deleted even voices "opposition!" of anti-Olympic protesters against torch relay from broadcasting.

22 ( +23 / -1 )

Good!

10 ( +12 / -2 )

ADD 10,000+ more for the ‘reported” Covid deceased.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

If the current course of inaction continues, there are only two possible options:

A)The SOE is extended until June, lifted, but will inevitably be imposed again around July, when the cases will, once again, go up to the 1000's. So the olympics will be held with Tokyo in a state of emergency, leading to an absolutely insane situation where several hundreds of officials and sportmens/women wille be gathering at stadiums for each event, but the japanese population won't be able to have a drink at their local yakitoriya.

B)The SOE is extended until June, lifted, and kept lifted while cases explode again in July, leading to an absolutely insane situation where the olympics are held in a city where a pandemic rages on.

So yeah. The only two viable recourses to that are either stepping up the vaccination a hundredfold, or cancel the damn olympics already.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Vox Populi!

But since "the Money" won't listen, only the virus will be able to concentrate the minds of the LDP ditherers to put an end to this long-running Olympic farce.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Holding the games is beyond stupid.

The Olympics, as they are currently held, just need to end. The costs to the host country are obscene. Fewer and fewer countries are interested in hosting them due to the costs. The IOC should build a permanent venue in Greece and go back to holding the games every 4 years. Oh, maybe they wouldn't be as lucrative?

12 ( +12 / -0 )

I will completely boycott the Olympics. And I mean completely ignore everything around it; TV, internet also sponsors.

19 ( +20 / -1 )

Signed!

15 ( +16 / -1 )

If Japan postpones the Games until next year, more people will be immunized and the benefits Tokyo will reap will multiply big time. But first things first, we need to use our noodles.

Delay the Olympic Games!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Signed. Holding the Olympics now is just obscene.

19 ( +21 / -2 )

Signature or Hanko?

3 ( +7 / -4 )

At first I thought this might accomplish something. Then I saw it was on change.org.

Oh well. It was worth a try.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Signed and shared.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

I’ll have to check this change.org thing. It seems to send the rightwing into meltdown.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

@Eisenach

Last two polls showed that 72 and 80 % of Japanese don't the Games this year. How do you read these numbers? Can you enlighten us please?

And by the way, why has there not been a poll on that question since March?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

15.4 billion dollars, damn bruh, all down the drain.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Where can I sign up? In my case, I am over 75 years old, but can't get a vaccine in the prefecture where I live, Nara, until July. It seems they have supply problems or, more likely, the vaccines got lost in the typically Japanese bureaucratic black hole.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

They need unpaid slave labour to function. No volunteers, no Olympics

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Sally Jenkins article in the Washington Post referred to IOC President Thomas Bach as "Baron von Ripper-off".

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/japan-should-cut-its-losses-and-tell-the-ioc-to-take-its-olympic-pillage-somewhere-else/ar-BB1gni5o

This has been translated into Japanese as Bottakuri Danshaku!

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/db27ecb0c9df4b8f6a01a2c3ec41bbb08dea3ee1

8 ( +9 / -1 )

I would've signed this 8 years ago after we got the Olympics insultingly stating they're the recovery Olympics for Tohoku. Better late than never for a petition. I'll effin sign it.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Such opposition or protests to Olympics are not even reported on mainstream media of Japan yet despite serious issue that related to the lives of people.

Because Japan's mainstream media already chose to be stakeholders for Olympics than journalism or press freedom.

Public broadcast NHK who is most influencial channel in Japan deleted even voices "opposition!" of anti-Olympic protesters against torch relay from broadcasting.

Japan has NEVER had press freedom or true democracy. The Olympics are proof of that

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Signed it. I normally love the OG but this is absolutely not the right time and place.

Also, OG should be setup differently, it is such a burden on each host city and high risk for getting into deep depths. Changes are necessary, start now.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

"The Tokyo Olympics have become a face-saving exercise for Japan, which has officially spent $15.4 billion to prepare them. For the IOC, the Tokyo Olympics are critical since 73% of its income comes from selling television rights."

While the IOC is apparently able to organise free vaccinations to all the Olympic-related people coming to Japan, the Japanese government has already lost face by not being able vaccinating their own people to protect them from virus imports.

The IOC has probably already taken, distributed, and used the income form television rights and cannot pay it back anymore.

I'm also wondering whether the government is dragging this vaccination out until they can buy the vaccine from a Japanese pharmaceutical company that has very good connection to the government?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Thx for the suggestions @AlfieNoakes 8:25am and others:

- “Signed. Holding the Olympics now is just obscene.”

Now, there’s too much confusion IF foreign resident signatures are accepted due this ‘possible’ misinformation posted by @Eisensch 8:38am: 

- “you are a foreigner, your signature does not count. That is Japanese law.” -

Can someone please clarify that foreign resident signatures are, in fact, valid? Is this really a Japanese Law?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Cheap publicity stunt for this oft-failed political office seeker.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

@Thomas Tank

Been doing a bit of research into this change.org.

It seems to send the right wing into hysterics.

Thanks for the recommendation.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

What a bunch of losers. Imagine taking time out of your day to do that.

I also would love to sign that petition too! I thinbk it is beyond pointless to carry on with this FoOlympics tyraid. Why are they still forcing it if they are making so many changes to our everyday lives (changing the safety level, lockdowns in certain parts, forbidding foreginers to partake)? Just put it off for a safer time! The world would understand!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Not enough number of nurses and doctors, not enough number of volunteers for Olympic games amid pandemic, how can JOC hold all games safely?

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Wasting your time...Olympics is happening.

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

Yep, just signed it.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Do they know how many lives can 500 nurses save at hospitals instead of standing by at Olympics????

10 ( +10 / -0 )

That's weird.

If the government wants the Olympics for the advertising revenue, who's gonna buy those products if the majority of the people oppose it?

I don't know which company wants to be associated with such a controversial event, especially in a country like Japan.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Most of you are in denial - clearly.

-21 ( +0 / -21 )

@the Resident

You seem pretty confident. We'll see.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

I'm very confident.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

Can someone please clarify that foreign resident signatures are, in fact, valid?

According to The Diet’s House of Councillors website: https://www.sangiin.go.jp/eng/info/petition/index.htm

- “Petitions can be filed with either House. Presenting petitions to the Diet is a right guaranteed to every citizen by the Constitution. Any Japanese national or foreign resident in Japan may present a petition. The actual process of presenting the petition will be handled by a Diet member or the Diet member's secretary.” - 

Pettions can be submitted but doesn’t really clarify IF the foreign residents’ ‘signatures’ are accepted as part of the total count.

Our confusion stems from some ‘possible’ misinformation posted by @Eisensch 8:38am: 

- “you are a foreigner, your signature does not count. That is Japanese law.” -

Is this kind of additional prohibition is really a Japanese Law?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@pepelepew: Well, just an example, Sports New Zealand as of yesterday. 'fully commited' the the Games.

Look, I don't think it needs to happen anymore than most of you, but its going to happen. Contracts have been signed. Lots.

If you think signing up to change.org is going to change anything, then you are much mistaken.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Up to 190,000 now, but it can't compete with the Dentsu/ NHK controlled media pushing the Olympic message.

More athletes now are also gushing over the games, the different Tokyo experience and medal-winning, and 'The Great Measures' that Japan and the IOC are taking to protect them and keep them safe!

10 ( +11 / -1 )

I don't agree with the Olympics either but too much financially is on the line for it to be cancelled. Not just for Japan.

-14 ( +0 / -14 )

ABC Australia are reporting on the number of signatures, it does matter maybe not domestically but internationally.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

@the Resident

Let's hope you're wrong. Someone else on this thread coined the right term: obscene. It's obscene to happen in 2021, in Japan. Maybe some world leaders will notice before July 23.

Didn't mean no offense by the way. Can't resist a bad joke.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Love the Games, but this is not the time for them.

Listen to the people, IOC and Mr Bach.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

I signed. Totally support this.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

@snowymountainhell

Can someone please clarify that foreign resident signatures are, in fact, valid?

You don't declare your nationality, only when you live. Even if you're not based in Japan, that shouldn't invalidate your signature.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

*where you live, sorry about the typo

3 ( +3 / -0 )

This whole scheme of the monstrously discombobulated Suga regime is all Olympic-centric and big-donor driven. At 71-years-old, I only ask: "Where the hell are the vaccines?"

Screw the vainglorious Olympics. Screw Phizer giving vaccines to athletes. The government's war on Covid should be a war and first priority is to get the people of Japan vaccinated long before the O word should ever be uttered again.

There is no transparency in Japan about vaccines, how businesses can survive OR how they are being paid off to close there doors without a government vision of what the end result will be. There is no science here. This is far worse than the bonkers policy of the Trump administration toward the pandemic.

While it is true there is a crisis, it will not be solved with arbitrary, inefficacious directives. Actually which could be moot considerations, if and when a vaccine is quickly and efficiently made available. The LDP is the only horse in the race, and unfortunately they are totally complacent with the concept that people mean exponentially less to the grim-reaper politicians than satisfying corporate donors.

This is a bleeping sham. Older people like myself who DO take care of themselves are nonetheless more vulnerable to dying from the Covid-19 virus.

Stop worrying about closing department stores, restaurants, and whatever holds patrons who unfortunately breathe. The virus has no friends or borders and doesn't require economic impetus to be happy and go away. It requires no-nonsense, dogged accumulation and distribution of vaccines...pronto!!! Full stop.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

I signed it. Over 195,000 signatures now!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Is it cheaper to cancel now? or tarnish the Olympic spirit forever attached to (most costly) expensive summer games in history, unwanted, dangerous and economically draining 2 week event? By the time the next games come around those in charge will be dribbling in an aged care home oblivious of the damage they have wrought on Japan! For what? Personal pride. It’s sickening when my grandchildren are going to ask me why are the taxes so high as we share cup noodles.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

a pandemic so deadly that olympics have to be cancelled, but not so deadly that a bunch of senior citizens can't set up a booth to interact with thousands of random strangers to collect signatures

Its an online petition Einstein.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Does anybody really believes this petition will gain traction? The government is hell-bent on holding the the olympics.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

The logistics of running an Olympics in a global pandemic is much worse than the logistics of rescheduling it.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I personally don't think hosting the Olympics is a great idea given the state of things here in Japan and abroad in regards to the pandemic, but the cynical part of me wonders if there's any point to this petition.

Everything the government has done so far, has been for the Olympics. Not listening to the general public, they have implemented half-hearted policies that puts the burden on the public to lower the number of infections to gain approval without having to make a serious effort and/or implement policies that would benefit the general public.

With only three months until the games, do you think the government will back out now?

This is an unpopular opinion, but we should just have the games because clearly the government does not care about anything else right now. Once it is out of their system, perhaps they can go back to focusing on the real issues at hand and implement policies that benefit the general public.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Basically shut up about corona or cancel the Olympics.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Signed. Vote and make your voice heard. All pressure to make a change is useful.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Consider it quite difficult to fight such a globally connected mafia-like monster octopus. They surely won’t give in because of some signs or demonstrations. There’s too much money involved. It’s similar to drug dealing, yakuza and all such. Some pressure they may feel, but they are surely not defeated by some little kindergarten actions.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

great article on what Japan should do about the Olympics but no one in Japan is reading it I am sure

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/05/05/japan-ioc-olympic-contract/?fbclid=IwAR1sPOZum_IFLNqIjScNCi10Q41QLg7qSf4D2WZgoqiO_fQ0sZPs5QIjXDk

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The extension of the total shut down was for the Olympics???.I cannot understand why is the Japanese government holding the Olympics when the Japanese tax payers are not happy to have this Olympics ???.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

@anon99999

Probably no one in Japan is reading the Washington Post article because it's necessary to be a subscriber to read it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Signed - because I don't want the Tokyo Olympics to go down as the most boring in history. Which they currently will be

5 ( +5 / -0 )

207,000 now

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The vaccination of participants is probably their answer to it.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

They surely won’t give in because of some signs or demonstrations

If people take it out to the streets, probably will have an effect, some signatures on a website probably not.

I'm curious to find out though how many will signup

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Can someone please clarify that foreign resident signatures are, in fact, valid?

Well the petition is also available in English (why would they do that if they didn't want foreign signatures?) and it's addressed to Bach, who as far as I know is not subject to laws governing petitions to the Japanese Diet. It's also addressed to Parsons, also not subject to laws governing petitions to the Japanese government, as well as to the usual Olympiad suspects - Suga, Hashimoto, Koike, Marukawa.

When I signed I wasn't asked to indicate my nationality, so no reason to imagine my signature wouldn't be counted just the same as any other.

210,713 and counting.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

People should sign in the millions, but this fossilized old-man government will probably just ignore it. Time to vote them out, for those who have the vote, and the franchise should be extended to all those who have permanent residency, too.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Thanks for the clarification @Yotomaya 11:45am

- ... foreign resident signatures are, in fact, valid. - “You don't declare your nationality, only wheRe you live. Even if you're not based in Japan, that shouldn't invalidate your signature.

So, the ‘signatures’ are linked to confirmed-existent, registered physical addresses within a geographical area and not linked to actual persons?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Sorry for the misinterpretations @cleo 4:14pm. It became confusing @8:38am Eisenach had posted:

"Signed." But you are a foreigner, your signature as with your vote does not count. That is Japanese law and very good one at that.” -

...leading some to reluctant to participate. The author nor editors chose to debunk the claim of “That is Japanese law.” From the article:

“Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Tokyo organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto, and Bach have repeatedly said the games will go on as scheduled.

These three (and, Abe) have continually been deferring decisions to each other for over a year. None of them can be trusted to do what’s in the best interest of the people.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I was an early proponent of the Olympics, working in tourism it would have been a great boost for our industry. I wasn't one of the people who are against the Olympics from day 1, like some friends I have.

I still think holding them now is absolutely insane. Even in a country that had the virus well in hand, it would be inviting trouble. In a country that hasn't even started vaccinations? Adding base jumping to the olympics would be safer.

Best case scenario, the olympics are held with all the restrictions and somehow avoid infecting many people. They go down in history as the most banal and emotionless Olympics ever recorded.

Worst case, they are responsible one way or another for the deaths of thousands of people, or more.

Or we cancel them and the global community goes "Oh yeah, that makes sense. That's rough for Japan" and we at LEAST garner some sympathy and good will.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I humbly suggest careful and wise reflection.

If the Government of Japan was to unilaterally seek to cancel, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The people of Japan, tax payers could, may I suggest be liable for incalculable, swinging costs, penalties, and fees.

Host City Contract 2020

https://www.2020games.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/eng/taikaijyunbi/taikai/hcc/index.html

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Just an update for y'all, the petition has made its way to CNN news (was first on Reuters). Even if the petition doesn't change the IOC's or Japanese government's minds, your signatures are helping the issue gain international attention.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/07/sport/anti-olympics-2020-campaign-online-japan-spt-intl/index.html

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Been doing a bit of research into this change.org.

It seems to send the right wing into hysterics.

Thanks for the recommendation.

@Jimizo - okay, lolz um... what?

I don't think change.org is effective for anyone - no matter your political beliefs.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

gaijin cry ''racism!!'' lol

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

We all know there are people on here who wanted it canceled even before COVID due to the high financial cost of the games, and there are some who will quite happily exploit the current situation to try and have it stopped. There are also those who are looking to make money on it and want it to go ahead.

I don't agree with an outright cancelation. However, a delay in starting the event on safety grounds seems unavoidable. It should be moved to 2022 as a compromise.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

250,000+ almost there!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

There is no reason to cancel the Olympics; if people are sick , just stay home. As long as everyone wears a mask, they will be safe, as the athletes and officials will all have been vaccinated.

Besides, if Covid was as serious as the sensationalist media would have you believe, Japan would have developed a vaccine long ago and made sure all its people were inoculated by now.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

I don't see any merit behind cancellation

I think Govt will be more careful and take strong measures due to Olympic.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

2022 Tokyo Olympic Games

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The Olympics is a massive misallocation of resources at a time when corona infections are rising!

Staying at home for many Japanese means a massive loss in income yet where is the financial aid?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Do you think a petition, which allows Foreigners (who cant vote here anyway) to be of significance ?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

As for the Olympics, I REALLY do not care how fast humans can run, swim.. who is the best fencer, gymnast, weightlifter, etc. So, pandemic or not, the Olympics can go the way of the hydrogen-filled airship. History. If you are an adult looking to get the gold, go back to elementary school. You can still get gold stars there.. even for just participating.

Thanks for deleting my on-topic opinion, Moderator.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Where do I go to sign the petition?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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