Olympics may bring more risks than economic benefits for Japan
Today
05:30 am JST
Today | 04:05 pm JST
TOKYO
For organizers and athletes, holding the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics with or without spectators may make a huge difference.
Staging the major sporting event under the coronavirus pandemic, with spectators reduced to a maximum of 10,000 per venue or 50 percent of capacity -- whichever is smaller -- may not in itself mean such a big change in economic benefits.
But some economists have raised a red flag that the economy could receive a heavy blow, rather than a boon, from the once-postponed Olympics depending on whether Japan can keep the spread of the virus in check. The games' organizers have already barred overseas spectators.