Prime Minister Suga: Japan determined to hold Olympics to unite world in hope of COVID-19 victory

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga vowed Friday to hold the Olympics as a symbol of unity and hope, despite growing doubts over the virus-postponed event's fate.

"Japan will hold the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics this summer," Suga said at the annual World Economic Forum, held online as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc worldwide.

"I'm determined to realize the Games that will bring hope and courage to the world, as proof of mankind's victory over the virus and as a symbol of global unity."

Suga also called for a transparent investigation by the World Health Organization (WHO) into the pandemic, saying it is key to learning lessons to prepare for future pandemics.

He also promised to expand an initial $130 million contribution to a fund to help developing countries acquire coronavirus vaccines.

Suga repeated his resolve to achieve a “safe and secure” Olympics and pledged to get infections under control in Japan as soon as possible.

“We must learn lessons from this pandemic and be prepared for future crises,” he said.

To do so, he added “a scientific investigation by WHO must be firmly carried out in a transparent way.” He did not say if he was referring to a current visit by a WHO team of experts to Wuhan, China, where the virus was first detected.

Japan in conflict with IOC over holding Olympics

Doubts over holding next year’s re-scheduled Olympic Games have grown, as the split over the safety issues cracked open between the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese Organizers.

His strident tone echoed that of Tokyo Olympics organizers and the International Olympic Committee, both of whom insisted this week that the Games will go ahead safely.

But with many countries still paralyzed by COVID-19 and large parts of Japan -- including Tokyo -- under a state of emergency, concern is growing over pushing ahead with the huge international event, due to start on July 23.

At home, Suga has been criticized for delaying virus measures until daily cases surged to new highs in late December. He eventually declared a partial state of emergency in early January, issuing non-binding requests through February 7 for people to avoid crowds or eating out in groups and for restaurants and bars to close early.

New cases in Tokyo have dipped but experts say they have not slowed enough, indicating that the emergency measures could be extended for several more weeks.

Tokyo's first Olympic test event of 2021, an artistic swimming competition scheduled for March, was postponed on Thursday for two months because of travel restrictions.

In December, Tokyo 2020 chiefs unveiled a 53-page anti-virus rulebook that they say will allow the Games to be held safely even without a vaccine.

But public support in Japan for holding the Games this year is low.

A poll conducted last weekend by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper showed only 11 percent of the 1,647 respondents said the Olympics should go ahead this summer.

In the survey, 51 percent supported postponement and 35 percent said it should be cancelled.

Read more: 

• Canada pulls out of 2020 Olympics over corona fears as Japan mulls postponement

• Thousands flock to see Olympic flame in Japan despite virus fears

(Source: Wires)

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