RECENT public opinion polls have shown that 80% of the people in Japan wishes for the Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled or maybe even to be delayed again, due to the fears of worsen pandemic conditions from the influx of athletes.
Although much of Japan is under a state of Emergency caused by a sharp increase of COVID-19 infections, organisers and the government have vowed to forge ahead with preparations for the Games, which are to run from July 23 to Aug 8.
This sentiment is supported by about 60% of Japanese companies that agree for the Olympics to be held this summer.
The poll by public broadcaster NHK, showed that 48 out of 100 companies say the Games should be held on a reduced scale.
Just three companies said the Games should be scrapped, and 36 did not give an answer, citing reasons such as that the COVID-19 situation should be carefully monitored.
Companies said holding the Olympics would help the economy recover, and would be good for the athletes’ careers even if there were no in-person spectators, NHK reported.
NHK did not say whether any of the companies surveyed were Olympic sponsors.
Tokyo 2020 organisers last month said all 68 domestic sponsors had agreed in principle to extend their contracts for the Games, which had been scheduled for 2020 but were postponed by a year because of the pandemic. – Jan 28, 2021
