After sinking money into upgrading sports facilities, Okuizomo balked when it became clear it would have to provide bubble-like bio-security measures with regular virus tests and medical care.
Some, like Okuizumo, have already scrapped plans to host overseas athletes, while others are devising careful programmes they hope will keep everyone safe. "It's a project that will use our tax resources," Hidenori Sasaki, an official with the local board of education, told AFP. And Canada's table tennis team will no longer go to Nagano's Okaya city, which instead plans to put posters of athletes around town, said Tomoko Hirose of the city's planning division.
"There are things you can do without spending a lot of money," Ito said."We have a good feeling about our programme."