With nearly three months to kick off the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Japanese officials on Thursday said that the games could still be canceled over concerns for the spike in COVID-19 cases.
The secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, Toshihiro Nikai, made the disclosure during an interview with Japan’s TBS TV.
This comes as Osaka — Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area — recorded more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases for three straight days, while, Tokyo recorded 729 cases on Thursday, the highest level the capital has seen in more than two months, according to the AP.
Nikai noted that should it seem “impossible to go on with the games,” the Olympics must be “definitely canceled,” the Associated Press reported.
“If there is a surge in infections because of the Olympics, there will be no meaning to having the Olympics,” he said.
Nikai explained that hosting the Games is a “big opportunity” for Japan and it is important for the country to make it a success.
“We will have many issues to resolve and prepare, and it is important to take care of them one by one,” he added.
“I think the question is how to do the Olympics in a way that is possible in this situation. That may mean there will probably be no spectators,” added Taro Kono, who is in charge of the country’s vaccine rollout. Kono also said it’s likely the events will have to be held in empty venues.
Meanwhile, an International Olympic Committee spokesperson in a statement revealed that they are committed to the upcoming Summer Olympics.
“We do not speculate. We are fully concentrated and committed to the successful delivery of the Olympic Games. We are working at full speed towards the opening ceremony on 23 July,” the spokesperson told People Magazine.
