BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

Breaking

Edit Story

Japan’s Top Covid Adviser Calls For Tokyo Olympics To Be Held Without Spectators

Following
This article is more than 2 years old.
Updated Jun 18, 2021, 03:35am EDT

Topline

The Japanese government’s top Covid adviser on Friday said holding the Tokyo Olympics without spectators is “desirable” as it would lower the risk of a fresh outbreak in the country, a move that appears to push back against growing expectation that the government may allow domestic spectators at the summer games.

Key Facts

On Friday, Shigeru Omi, Japan’s top infectious disease official and head of its Covid taskforce, submitted a set of proposals to the government and the Tokyo games’ organizing committee on Friday.

According to the Japan Times, the government may ignore the advisory committee’s recommendations as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Thursday said he wanted domestic spectators at the summer’s Olympic and Paralympic games.

If the government decides to allow spectators, Omi and other experts have urged it to set a stricter attendance cap than the upper limit that has currently been decided for large events in Japan, Kyodo News reported.

In regions where Covid restrictions are fully lifted, the government’s new rules allow up to 10,000 spectators or 50% capacity—whichever is lower—to attend large events such as sports games and concerts and many expect the cap to be similar for Olympic venues.

The expert committee submitted their opinions voluntarily over concerns that the Olympics could trigger another Covid surge as the games are set to coincide with Japan’s summer holidays, Kyodo’s report added.

According to Nikkei, Japan’s Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa told the media on Friday that the domestic spectator limit at the Tokyo Games will be determined this month and it “will not exceed” the 10,000 people cap the government has placed on other large events.

Tangent

Seiko Hashimoto, the head of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee, said she has received the recommendations but noted that any attendance cap will be in line with the government’s policy. Hidemasa Nakamura, Tokyo 2020’s games delivery officer, told reporters that the number of overseas officials attending the games this year will be 41,000, which is one-third of the original estimate. He added that the International Olympic Committee has offered an additional 100 medical staff to work at a clinic in the Olympic Village and other medical facilities for the games, which appears to follow up on a promise made by IOC President Thomas Bach.

Key Background

Japan is set to ease its Covid-19 state of emergency in the capital and eight other prefectures starting Monday as new cases continue to decline. Despite this, however, experts have called for caution, warning that the Olympics could turn into a super spreader event. One group of experts released a simulation earlier this week showing a possible upsurge in infections during the Olympics. On Thursday, Health Minister Norihisa Tamura told reporters that the government will not hesitate in issuing a state of emergency during the Olympics to protect people’s lives and health. However, in such a scenario the decision to cancel or postpone the games will rest solely with the International Olympics Committee (IOC), Tamura added. The Japanese government is expected to make its final decision on spectators at the Olympics before the end of this month. If the government decides to go ahead with a 10,000 spectator cap, the organizing committee will reportedly hold a lottery for existing ticket holders—who had purchased tickets before the pandemic led to the games being postponed—for some events to determine who will be allowed to enter.

Further Reading

Olympics without spectators "desirable," says top Japan COVID adviser (Kyodo News)

Japan's top COVID-19 adviser seeks Olympics without spectators (Japan Times)

Japan COVID adviser urges limits on spectators (Nikkei Asia)

Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus

Follow me on TwitterSend me a secure tip