Hashimoto acknowledged the low public support in Japan for going ahead with the Olympics, particularly since less than 1% of the population has been vaccinated. Polls repeatedly show 70-80% are opposed to going ahead with the games.
“In local municipalities the situations are rather dire,” Hashimoto said. “And in this context, Japanese citizens and residents have worries and concerns. I know that. . For the safety and security of the games, we must contain the spread of the virus as soon as possible.”
Many of the worries now center around the torch relay.
A leg of the relay on Wednesday was moved off the public streets in Matsuyama City in the prefecture of Ehime. It was to take place in a city park with “no spectators or stage performances, an organizing committee statement said.
Tokyo Games delay decision until June on fans or no fans
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Tokyo Games delay decision until June on fans - or no fans
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