The Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, an official domestic partner of the Tokyo Olympics, has called in an article on Wednesday to cancel the sporting event this summer.
According to the newspaper, the risks to public safety and the pressure that the Games are putting on health because of the corona pandemic are too significant.
“We ask Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to calmly and objectively assess the situation and decide not to let the event go ahead this summer,” the article headed “Decision to Cancel.” Wednesday morning (local time), the article’s headline had already been retweeted more than 21,000 times.
There are more than 60 Japanese companies that have partnered with the event, including several newspapers. Initially, they all agreed to move the event from 2020 to 2021. In the meantime, resistance to the continuation of the Olympic Games is increasing.
Much of Japan, including the host city of Tokyo, is currently under a state of emergency due to an increase in the number of corona infections. The state of emergency is expected to be extended again at the end of this month, less than two months before the start of the sporting event. Many polls show that most Japanese do not want the Olympics to take place this summer.
In political circles, however, there remains support for the continuation of Tokyo. “We even have baseball games with an audience again,” said politician Kozo Yamamoto. “That turns out to be possible without major risks involved.
That is why the Olympics must continue as usual. We know that it can be done safely, and it is also good for our economy. If necessary, we do it without spectators. But once it has started, I am sure that everyone in our country is happy.”