Security officers stand guard next to Olympic Rings monument during an anti-Olympics rally outside the Japan Olympic Committee headquarters in Tokyo, June 14 2021. Picture: REUTERS/ISSEI KATO
Cancellation of the event — originally meant to showcase a revitalised nation after decades of doldrums — would be costly for organisers, the Tokyo government, sponsors and insurers. “I would like it to be held with spectators. I plan to head into the five-way meeting with that in mind,” the Sankei newspaper quoted Tokyo 2020 head Seiko Hashimoto as saying in an interview published late on Thursday.Coronavirus restrictions
Tokyo is scheduled to be under the lesser restrictions until July 11 after the state of emergency — the third since April last year — expires for the capital on June 20. Omi, a former World Health Organization official, has become increasing outspoken about the risks the event may spread the virus. Earlier this month, he told parliament it was “not normal” to hold the Games during a pandemic.