Governor of Shimane Prefecture in Japan Expresses Opposition to Hosting Tokyo Olympics

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Maruyama Tatsuya, Governor of Shimane Prefecture, Japan, expressed opposition to the hosting of the Tokyo Olympics.

According to NHK on the 17th, Governor Maruyama stated at the temporary executive committee meeting for the torch relay held at the prefectural office at noon that "it is difficult to cooperate with the hosting of the Tokyo Olympics and the torch relay in Shimane Prefecture scheduled for May this year."

He referred to the COVID-19 situation in Tokyo, saying, "The torch relay should not be held," and added, "If the current situation does not improve, I believe the Tokyo Olympics should not be held."

Governor Maruyama cited the reason for opposing the Tokyo Olympics as "it could lead to a nationwide spread of infections, which is not unrelated to Shimane Prefecture."

He had also expressed opposition to the Tokyo Olympics at a press conference on the 10th, criticizing the government and Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

The Tokyo Olympics torch relay is scheduled to start on the 25th of next month in Fukushima Prefecture. Torchbearers will tour all over Japan, including Shimane Prefecture.

Meanwhile, Governor Maruyama is the person who submitted a request to the government last July demanding that Japan file a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to establish sovereignty over Dokdo.

In Shimane Prefecture, every year on February 22, an event called "Takeshima Day" (the name Japan claims for Dokdo), which asserts the baseless claim that "Dokdo is Japanese territory," is held.

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