Japan mulling entirely zero-fan Olympics after public backlash
July 7, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
People wearing face masks ride an escalator with banners to promote the Tokyo Olympics, on July 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)
TOKYO -- Plans to have no spectators at any of the Olympic venues across Japan have surfaced within the central government, a serious shift from the previous policy of keeping fans out of some events, such as those at night or at large stadiums.
Increasing numbers of figures in the government and ruling coalition believe the move is necessary, due to serious public concern about holding the games mid-pandemic. The Japanese government will hold a five-party meeting including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games as early as July 8 to make a final decision on spectators.