Japan's Suga Meets with IOC President Visiting Japan: "Cooperation for Tokyo Olympics Hosting"

Suga "Closely Cooperating for a Safe and Secure Games"
Bach "Fully Shared Resolution to Host Tokyo Games Next Year"

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister of Japan [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who is visiting Japan, held talks on the 16th and agreed to cooperate for the hosting of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, postponed to July next year.

According to NHK and other broadcasts, Prime Minister Suga held a 30-minute meeting with President Bach at the Prime Minister's Official Residence that morning and announced this.

Prime Minister Suga said, "We are determined to realize the hosting as the Olympics that will serve as proof of humanity's success over the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) next summer, and as a sign of recovery following the Great East Japan Earthquake," adding, "We will work closely with the IOC and respond with full effort to realize a safe and secure event."

In response, President Bach also said, "I fully share the determination to hold the Tokyo Games next year," and pledged to cooperate for the hosting. He added, "This event can be a signal of humanity's solidarity and unity worldwide after COVID-19," and said, "Although humanity may currently be inside a tunnel, I believe the Olympic flame will be the light visible at the end of the tunnel."

After the talks, Prime Minister Suga told reporters that various considerations are underway to allow spectators to participate in the Tokyo Olympics next year. President Bach also said after the meeting, "I have become confident that spectators will be able to enter the venues at next year's Games," and stated that efforts will be made to enable Olympic participants and visitors to receive vaccinations upon arriving in Japan once a COVID-19 vaccine is developed.

President Bach visited Japan for the first time since July last year, before the decision to postpone the Games was made. Currently visiting Japan since the previous day, President Bach is scheduled to hold talks with Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo, in the afternoon and then hold a joint press conference with Yoshir? Mori, Chairman of the Games Organizing Committee.

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