63% of Japanese Voters Say Tokyo Olympics Should Be Canceled or Postponed

NHK Conducts Public Opinion Survey Among Voters from 11th to 13th

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly spreads in Japan, public opinion is growing that the Tokyo Olympics, postponed to next year, should be canceled or postponed once again.

In a public opinion survey conducted by NHK from the 11th to the 13th targeting voters regarding the hosting of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, 32% of respondents said the event should be canceled. 31% answered that it should be postponed further.

The opinion that the event should be held accounted for only 27%.

Overall, 63% of respondents reacted negatively to holding the event next summer.

Previously, in an NHK survey conducted in October, 23% were in favor of cancellation and 25% said it should be postponed further, showing a 48% negative response to the plan to hold the event next summer, indicating that opposition has increased over the past two months.

In the October survey, 40% answered that the event should be held.

Meanwhile, amid local prosecutors investigating allegations surrounding a hotel dinner held the day before the "Cherry Blossom Viewing Party" hosted by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's side, 78% expressed that they could not accept Abe's explanation regarding this issue.

Former Prime Minister Abe recently expanded his activities mainly among conservatives and right-wing groups, and there were even claims that he should return as prime minister, but this incident is expected to reduce his political influence.

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