With the spread of COVID-19 steadily worsening in Japan since the onset of winter daily records for infections and deaths continue to be broken the fate of the Tokyo Summer Olympics is again very much in doubt.
This week, former International Olympic Committee vice-president Kevan Gosper caused consternation in Japan when he suggested the United Nations might have to decide whether the Olympics and Paralympics can go ahead this year.
Japanese medical experts are also increasingly uncertain about the feasibility of the games being held. Even if vaccinations proceed around the world, it would still be extremely risky to allow in over 15,000 foreign athletes, plus tens of thousands of coaches, officials, sponsors and members of the media.
The chief of the country's most powerful business lobby made clear "the power of the United States is necessary" to achieve a recovery in a global economy.
Jan 12, 2021
Osaka – On Dec. 25, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition approved the basic plan for the Osaka-Kansai Japan Expo 2025. International promotional activities for the expo are now underway, and will expand further through 2021.
But increasing costs and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has created growing challenges to ensuring the event is a financial and public relations success.
What is the basic plan for Expo 2025?
Under the grand theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the Osaka-Kansai Japan Expo will take place on Yumeshima island on the Osaka city waterfront between April 13 and Oct. 13, 2025. It’s estimated that around 28.2 million people, including 3.5 million inbound tourists from abroad, will visit.
Many owners in the restaurant industry are expected to follow a government request to shorten their business hours, bracing for a further drop in revenue.