Japan PM Suga s Tokyo Olympic reception scrapped
A reception for overseas dignitaries scheduled to be hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Aug. 8, the day of the Tokyo Olympic closing ceremony, will be canceled, officials familiar with the decision said Thursday.
The reception at a Tokyo hotel was also expected to be attended by officials of the International Olympic Committee, but it will be scrapped due to concern over potential coronavirus infections and as part of efforts to cut costs and scale down the games, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Japanese officials apparently made the decision to cancel the event because a large section of the public is critical of the prime minister s push to hold the games amid the pandemic.