Japan officially launches its largest ever Olympic delegation

… a record-high 582 athletes. Japan's previous largest delegation, in 1964, included 355 athletes.

This article might have benefited from the following explanation:

On average, a host country will have 175.8 additional athletes than it had four years earlier because standards are lower for athletes from the host country and Olympic hosts are guaranteed a spot in each team sport.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/is-there-home-field-advantage-at-the-olympics/

thank you Asiaman7....

Japanese athletes' inspiration and courage would "live on in people's hearts as a source of hope."

‘My first reaction was that’s a little nigh eve. But I then realised athletes aren’t known for their mental agility although there are some. And if you say it, believe it good for you that’s your world. Sadly in a month most people will have trouble remembering who did what. And “hope for what?” the mixed messages have blurred exactly what hope?

where they sat masked, apart from each other in the well-ventilated hall

What is the reason to mention about that in this article?

To keep the people calm and show them how safe everything is?

PM Suga appears to be instructing the team on the finer points of Jan Ken Pon.

- “What we can do now is give our best and pledge to fight through with all I have as a member of Team Japan." - Japan is targeting 30 gold medals this summer,”

It that arena, Japan has the potential to dominate.

That picture!

Good questions @Monty 7:12am:

[where they sat masked, apart from each other in the well-ventilated hall] “What is the reason to mention about that in this article? To keep the people calm and show them how safe everything is?

yet, in stark contrast: “Fans urged to stay away from Olympic marathon over virus fears” Today 6am

Yes, let's get it over with and whatever happens happens.

Japanese athletes courage will be an inspiration? Other nations aren’t participating?

At the end of June, the president of the Japanese Olympic Committee said 30 gold medals was is no longer the target. Looks like the JOC have already forgotten that Press Release (June 20, 2021).

Whoever wins, the result will have an asterisk next to it.

@snowmountain

Yes, I am really wondering why this is mentioned in the article.

Sitting masked and apart from each other should be a normal procedure during a pandemic.

To specific mention that in this article, does that mean that they normaly dont do that?

And the overly-exaggerated, much publicized yet, very much last-minute efforts by the J Govt’s continue daily @Monty 7:35 am”

“Tokyo takes most of Olympic torch relay off public roads” - Today 6:44am

Don’t sing the national anthem. Don’t cheer the athletes. Don’t go see the marathon. Maybe just don’t come at all, even if you have tickets.

These games are really shaping up to be a barrel of laughs.

Fascinating.

Domestically, it’s gonna be a month of Tatemae regarding the success and spirit of the Olympics

With those masks, ties and jackets they will soon be keeling over in the hot humidity …

With Suga gazing blearily down from the big screen with his doughty "guts pose" its like a cross between Chaplin's Great Dictator and Big Brother.

Fukui claimed Japanese athletes' inspiration and courage would "live on in people's hearts as a source of hope."

God, what an asinine comment.

"I take pride in being selected to represent Japan for the Tokyo Olympics held in our country, and will head to the games with a sense of awareness and responsibility," Yamagata said, as around 800 delegation members watched online.

what a crock of manure.

and will head to the games with a sense of awareness and responsibility? Just how are you or the useless gov going to take responsibility for the infections that are already increasing and will continue to do so due to the games? and what awareness are you talking about? Are you aware that Japan is already experiencing a surge?

Spare us the useless propaganda about the Olympics and stop adding insult to injury. The population is not stupid. We know that the Olympics are being held because vested interests want them held. Enough with the BS propaganda please.

There will *forever* be *many* asterisks @wanderlust 7:31am, inside and outside this IOCLDPJOC debacle.

- “Whoever wins, the result will have an asterisk next to it.” -

When the Tokyo 2020-21 Olympics ‘commemorative book’ is published, there will have to be an entirely separate volume of just footnotes & clarifications of the almost-infinite hypocrisies.

Good Morning Everyone. Lovely to read the wave of optimism regarding the Olympics. Think most of you could just ignore it rather than just being angry every day about it?

With a 5,000 cap on attendance now expected, I really don't think apart from extra security, a little more traffic on the roads with expressway tolls being hiked during the day, life will be that different in the City and you will pretty much be able to pretend nothing is happening.

TV games, nothing more, nothing less.

Is it 1984 already?

Who even set this shot up?

It’s the fakest picture possible.

"Sports connect people in a world divided by the coronavirus pandemic," Yamashita said, while Fukui claimed Japanese athletes' inspiration and courage would "live on in people's hearts as a source of hope."

So heartful. United in emotion the world will be. Good luck Japan! Let's Olympic!

I see in this a lot of nationalism,propaganda and the absolute careless of being in the middle of the pandemic just to please the investors and of course for the J-gov and Nippon kaigi to show Japan dominating these Edo style “Olympics”

The pyramid of lies is beginning to collapse, as explained by a Canadian journalist in Tokyo:

"Finally - there is no “14 day” quarantine. Most media members have the option to start operating the day they arrive, if they claim their job is vital to their organization. Others, like my colleagues, will do a 3 day quarantine in their hotels."

https://twitter.com/graceleenews/status/1412237176352374786

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1411885673309638656.html

During the last days, I talked a lot with some of my commuter friends on our way to work and also with my coworkers at my company about the Olympics.

Beside the vaccination, it is the topic number one.

I can say that 90% don't really have an opinion.

But some said it is risky, some other said as long as everyone stays in their bubbles it is OK, some other said they don't give a s...t about the Olympics.

Basically they all accept the situation as it is, and all said let us make the Best out of it. End of August it is over, and then we will see if there is a negative impact on our daily life here, or not.

The pyramid of lies is beginning to collapse, as explained by a Canadian journalist in Tokyo:

"Finally - there is no “14 day” quarantine. Most media members have the option to start operating the day they arrive, if they claim their job is vital to their organization. Others, like my colleagues, will do a 3 day quarantine in their hotels."

https://twitter.com/graceleenews/status/1412237176352374786

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1411885673309638656.html

I like “pyramid of lies”, but I think “the capitulation begins” is probably semantically closer to the mark.

Basically they all accept the situation as it is, and all said let us make the Best out of it. End of August it is over, and then we will see if there is a negative impact on our daily life here, or not.

With respect to your colleagues and acquaintances, that kind of attitude is why the LDP have been in power almost uninterrupted for coming up 70 years.

same here Monty. My Japanese colleagues genuinely don't seem to care or even have a solid opinion about the Olympics.

I hope the Olympics FLOPS on an epic scale.

Do the Japanese team members get tested daily?

Are they confined in the Olympic bubble?

international news I just saw now 2 Olympic village staff workers test positive to covid

Look at Suga in this picture. He's the most passionless looking creature on earth. The antithesis of athleticism, strength, excitement, and heart which Olympic athletes embody.

Tokyo Olympics: Olympic Games at what cost? | To The Point - YouTube

here is an excellent debate on DW News on the Olympics

Very interesting

"With hosting the games under question during the coronavirus pandemic, I've always been thinking about what we can do, and what is the meaning of sport."

Such a vapid comment from someone who jumped the vaccination line.

Meanwhile Many people are waiting nervously even to receive an invitation to make a reservation, while reports of vaccine shortages emerge.

Athletes don’t get to dodge criticism.

@the Resident

I wish I could be as relaxed as you are but I just can't. Even though I am part of the lucky minority that has not been affected by Covid, neither physically nor financially.

I just can't get over the fact that the $30 bn party is financed at 80% by the public for the massive benefit of a few, and forced down on us during a pandemic for that very reason.

You don't understand people like me. Fine, it's reciprocal.

The newest Olympic medal event: Jan ken pon! Japan guaranteed a medal.

The only HOPE that we do have is not to catch COVID!!!

I wish I could be as relaxed as you are but I just can't. Even though I am part of the lucky minority that has not been affected by Covid, neither physically nor financially.

Same here. I work from home and will do for the foreseeable future, but my better half has to take the train due to the nature of her job.

From Alfie Noakes’ post above, it sounds like these allegedly strict rules for visitors, press, etc. are a complete joke, and that these people will have close to carte blanche to do whatever they want, thus (if they are irresponsible) potentially making the current situation worse. So if they decide to jump on a train at peak time, maskless, and have a nice loud conversation (see the Twitter comments referenced in Alfie’s post) then who knows what could result.

I see this as gross moral cowardice on the part of the government and a tacit admission from the IOC that they couldn’t care less how many people are infected as long as they make as much money as humanly possible, because they’re obviously in serious financial difficulty, right?

Other people are presumably OK with all this. Like they say in Japanese 十人十色…

Olympics 2020 divides people or society.

Most Olympians divert their eyes from pandemic risk that Olympics will cause and only act the role that government or sponsors want.

And PM Suga who only wants to take advantage of sports politically to instigate nationalism victimizes general citizen to hold Olympics.

Japan is targeting 30 gold medals this summer, nearly double its best of 16 at the 1964 Tokyo Games and the 2004 Athens Games.

Only 30 golds ? that is very conservative considerng stringent covid-19 restrictions have not been placed on the host athletes In any normal olympic the host has an advantage not to talk of one held in a pandemic without any foreign spectators and all the foreign competitors are viewed with suspicion as being infected vaccinated or not and have to undergo daily test, like fujitives movement is heavily restricted and will be under constant surveillance while the host athletes don't face the same huddles and can concentrate on their training. Surprisingly, nobody talks about the mental impact these stringent covid-19 measures has on the foreign athlete. Imagine being punished for something you have no control over and no matter how careful you are you can still contract it. Talk about a level playing field, there is none, it not even close.

So - Basically we can come to the conclusion that few liberal leaning foreigners frequenting Japan Today - a few hundred unemployed locals who can 'march' during the work week are against the Olympics and actually nobody else is actually that bothered.

Wow, it sounds like they haven't even sorted out which hotels the press are going to stay at. This is very basic stuff.

@Pim - Its not about being 'relaxed' - I literally just don't see the big fuss.

As for Japanese athletes lack of mental prowess - the once Nadeshiko, Ando has a doctorate and several have advanced degrees. Sawa, attended the University of Tokyo.

That said. Kinesthetic talent, is a mark of a certain intelligence and for an Olympic athlete it is on a rarefied level.

The Olympics, an epic disaster unfolds.

Suga. A nebbish.

Those clothes, that gesture from Suga, the insistence on having this Olympics.

I hope they fail hugely.

“Sure”, let’s ALL understand: The athlete’s just do what they trained to do and have to ’tow the party line and espouse the pablum of their respective countries’.

- @8:14am: “Readers, please do not insult the athletes. It's not nice and reflects badly on yourselves.”-

Fine. Understood. They’re admirable, not condemnable.

But, … do we have to continually endure the “cheer-mongers” and their frequent sideswipes at other posters . . .

*- @theResident 10:34am & 10:59am: “So,… the conclusion that few liberal leaning foreigners frequenting JT - a few hundred unemployed locals who can 'march' during the work week are against the Olympics and actually nobody else is actually that bothered.” & “ I literally just don't see the big fuss.”*

. . . especially those who suffered losses, both familial and financial, in the last 18+ months?

At least those still questioning the Games are conscientious of others and “acknowledge” the concerns when the gov’t routinely floundered:

*- @Pim 9:38am: “wish I could be as relaxed but I just can't. Even though I’m part of the lucky minority that has not been affected by Covid, neither physically nor financially. - I just can't get over the fact that the $30 bn party is financed at 80% by the public for the massive benefit of a few, and forced down on us during a pandemic for that very reason. *

You’re right @Pim. They just ‘refuse to understand’ other people.

Good luck to all athletes!

I see the hilarity surrounding the Olympics is now seeping into what can and can not be said, hilarious. Oh! the next month is going to be a side splitting cavalcade of mismanagement and disaster that’s been on display for years leading up to the just VIP opening ceremony that only some athletes can attend. My heart is fully behind and glad at what the future month may bring.

Some here, Today, are *lauding the athletes yet, and rightfully so, voicing dissatisfaction with the government*:

*- @Richard Gallagher 11:15am: “As for Japanese athletes, Nadeshiko Ando has a doctorate and Seville have advanced degrees. Sawa, attended the U of Tokyo. That said. Kinesthetic talent, is a mark of a certain intelligence and for an Olympic athlete it is on a rarefied level. - Suga. A nebbish.The Olympics, an epic disaster unfolds. +2*

*- @John Noun 11:17am:** “The insistence on having this Olympics. I hope they fail hugely.” +4*

Incidentally (and, ‘quizzically’)Today, some periodic, interjected words of ‘caution’ (from the ‘media’)?

- “You can be opposed to the Olympics being held, but to hope they fail is not a nice thing to say. Please keep that in mind over the next few weeks.” -

Why Today? Perhaps you ‘are’ really touching some nerves, more than we anticipated?

Excellent points & questions @TQ 11:39am, well-worth reposting:

*- “If we indulge our optimistic friends, who insist there is absolutely nothing to worry about because Japan has vaccinated maybe 18-19% of its popul to some extent and that severe cases will allegedly keep dropping…*

*- “If that is so, why is the Japanese government giving serious consideration to holding the Olympics with zero fans (except the corporate fat cats, who aren’t fans)?… and Dr. Omi is pretty much begging them to do just that. Are the Japanese chief medical experts selling us a bill of goods?”*

Why is the media TODAY so concerned about touting the Games or readers opposing the Games?:

- “Readers, please stop saying you hope the Olympic hugely fail. You can be opposed to the Olympics being held, but to hope they fail is not a nice thing to say. Please keep that in mind over the next few weeks.” -

Why the intensified scrutiny and (not to be ‘offensive’ but, almost personalized?) responses to some comments regarding the article?

Oh - Seriously. How do you know I am have not suffered financial loss?? I have. Fortunately no familial loss - and my sympathy to ANYBODY who has.

Who cares ?!!

I don't hope they fail - after all the disruption they're causing, failure of the actual Games would simply be adding insult to injury. But I certainly understand the sentiments of those who hope they do.

Torch relays cancelled, few or no spectators, athletes confined to quarters (on cardboard beds), medals and records doomed to be asterisked, infection seeping out here and there.... don't look now, but in a sense the Games have already failed, before they've even begun.

Japan is targeting 30 gold medals this summer, nearly double its best of 16 at the 1964 Tokyo Games and the 2004 Athens Games.

Even a better idea,why not give to Japan all the golden medals and leave the rest to gaijin team.

So at least the right wingers can have their day of pride and joy to celebrate the physical and moral superiority of Wa-jin above the others.

After all this is also why they partly pushed for these “olympics”

Yes, ’*Seriously. *@theResident 12:33pm. ‘Sorry’ for Your financial losses

*- @theResident 12:33pm: “Seriously. How do you know I am have not suffered financial loss?? I have. Fortunately no familial loss - and my sympathy to ANYBODY who has.*

and ‘Thank You’ for your sympathy for those that have lost family.

That being said @theResident 12:33pm, will you also re-consider and (*possibly) recant your “conclusion”?:*

- @theResident 10:34am: “Basically, the conclusion that a few hundred unemployed locals who can 'march' during the work week are against the Olympics and actually nobody else is actually that bothered.”

*Have you considered some of those “few hundred unemployed locals *who can ‘march’ during the ‘work week” may prefer to be working or have kept their businesses AND *are* perhaps unemployed because of the J Gov’t inept handling of the pandemic while insisting on continuing with ‘Their Games’?

As sensitive as the media is Today @theResident 12:33pm, about comments regarding the athletes, . . .

*- @theResident 10:34am: “Basically, the conclusion that a few hundred unemployed locals who can 'march' during the work week are against the Olympics and actually nobody else is actually that bothered.”*

. . ., seems they would equally be as sensitive to the plight of Japan’s unemployed, as well?

These Tokyo 2020 Olympics have to be a success, for the J people that have financed the whole show.

What I find vexing and galling is that globally, the countries participating in these pandemic games didn't even consider, least offer to "unify" the cost to J people, to *come together** *in spirit of Olympism,

I could "name names". I might later.

The IOC behavior, that just for starters

But I then realised athletes aren’t known for their mental agility although there are some.

This is so not true for Olympians. The level of mental discipline it takes to reach the top spots in the world is impossible for most people.

People tend to equate academic achievement to intelligence and that's simply wrong.

Why the intensified scrutiny and (not to be ‘offensive’ but, almost personalized?) responses to some comments regarding the article?

Censorship?

Total disconnect from reality?

Shame?

Embarrasment?

Futile attempt to control a narrative that was lost long ago?

Money...there it is

I pray for the health of the athletes.

I feel fortunate to lead several groups of English conversation hobbyists in Tokyo with members who are old enough to have memories of many Olympics, including 1964 Tokyo Olympics. What I observe is they have varying levels of enthusiasm for sport on the one hand, but much stronger feelings that they would like to see coronavirus under control instead of these games. Five of them are older women with grandchildren who patiently jumped through the hoops to become volunteers, but who have all resigned.

They feel that the risk of becoming sick is too high, and the timing of holding them is wrong. That is the cautious, pragmatic Japanese spirit I know and recognize.

The current government seems to be imbued with an idealism and willingness to take risks that I don't see in the voters. They are really gambling that they can pull off this event. Time will tell.

Hope for a great Olympic games, and good luck to every athlete.

In retrospect I'm sure everyone will be pleased that the games took place.

The current government seems to be imbued with an idealism and willingness to take risks

That’s certainly an interesting interpretation of it. Another would be “the current government seems to be imbued with a dangerous recklessness and willingness to hear absolutely no opposing views”.

The massive delegation for their massive sports day. Shameless by Japan.

That is because the games are here - in Japan. @John Noun

He may be doing the guts pose but his eyes tell the real story.

With such a massive delegation I expect some results, Japan.

100+ gold medals on the table please!

The most important event in these coming Tokyo Olympic Games is the nationwide vaccination roll out.

This will ultimately be the decisive factor in the success of the 2020 games.

Growing number of Japanese cities cancel vaccine reservations amid supply shortage,

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/07/03/national/municipalities-vaccine-supply-issues/

If Taro Kono, the minister in charge of the vaccine rollout, is not capable in protecting the lives of J people with a possible 100,000 competitors, and support staff, imminent arrival, with just 14.5 % of J population fully vaccinated he has to stand down and a team assigned the task that can and will.

The Japanese Government must pressure the IOC to reach out to the competitors governments to up the supply of vaccines to Japan's people. Start kicking the chairs.

I am very interested in how 582 athletes perform online. If Japanese athletes can perform online, wouldn't it make sense for foreign athletes also to perform online?

That is because the games are here - in Japan. @John Noun

@theResident

Thank you. But you know what I mean.

It's the Olympics, though. It isn't just about one nation, even the hosts.

But Japan has turned this into an event all about them, not a care for other competing nations.

Oh well, they'll still be well behind China in the medal table, and that will irritate them no end.

I feel bad for this delegation as the negative legacy these Olympics will overshadow any accomplishments. These Olympics are already a failure before they have begin.

Just don't watch, if that's all it takes. I know I won't be turning on the TV - now that travel across Canada is open to us citizens, I'll be off to the ranch and managing cattle with the cowboys for a few weeks. Nothing like the Olympics. Just good, healthy outdoor fun. Yahoo!!!

Perhaps it’s like? “We who are about to fighto!, Salute You!” All Hail, Caesar!”

As another possible ‘significant countermeasure in place’, it appears in the photo that the ‘current PM’ demonstrates a closed-fist (‘gaman’) ‘salute of submission’ to the athletes, similar to that of the gladiators?