US and Japan Hold Phone Talks Today... Trump Says "Olympic Postponement Decision is Wise and Excellent"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunjin Jung] On the 25th, U.S. President Donald Trump told Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that the decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics was a "very wise and excellent decision," according to the Japanese government.

According to NHK and other broadcasters, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga stated at a regular briefing that President Trump and Prime Minister Abe held a 40-minute phone conversation. Secretary Suga said, "The two leaders confirmed that they will closely cooperate to hold the Tokyo Games in a complete form as evidence that humanity has overcome the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)."

He explained that during the meeting, Prime Minister Abe agreed to postpone the Tokyo Olympics by about one year to ensure that athletes worldwide can compete in their best physical condition and that spectators can feel safe, aiming to hold the Games by next summer at the latest. Secretary Suga also conveyed that President Trump responded, "I fully support Prime Minister Abe's position."

The two leaders agreed to continue sharing information and cooperating on COVID-19-related matters, including the development of treatments. They also agreed to collaborate during the upcoming G20 and G7 leaders' virtual meetings scheduled for the 26th. It was reported that they exchanged views on the situation in North Korea as well.

Regarding Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike's statement about consulting with the central government and others on the additional costs arising from the Olympics postponement, Secretary Suga said, "Since the postponement decision was just made yesterday, it is important for the relevant parties to cooperate and coordinate on such matters going forward." On the timing of the Tokyo Olympics next year, he said, "It was agreed to hold the Games by the summer of 2021 at the latest," adding, "I understand that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) holds the final decision-making authority on the specific schedule, but the relevant parties will review it within that framework moving forward."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.