53% of Japanese Citizens Say "Tokyo Olympics Should Limit or Completely Ban Spectators"... NHK Poll

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] According to a public opinion survey conducted by NHK, more than half of the Japanese public responded that the Tokyo Olympics scheduled to be held in July this year should either limit spectators or not allow any spectators at all. This is interpreted as a concern that if spectators are not restricted amid the still serious COVID-19 situation, the spread of the virus could worsen again.

On the 8th, NHK in Japan conducted a telephone survey, both landline and mobile, from the 5th to the 7th targeting 1,237 men and women aged 18 and over nationwide. When asked how they think the Tokyo Olympics should be held, 34% responded "with limited spectators," and 19% answered "without spectators." The percentage of those who said the event should be canceled altogether reached 33%.

Within Japan, there are significant concerns that the spread of COVID-19 could increase again after the Tokyo Olympics in July. The Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee previously announced that overseas spectators would not be allowed, but stated that domestic spectators would be allowed in a limited capacity, which has continued to spark controversy within Japan.

NHK reported that the approval rating of the Suga Yoshihide Cabinet, which was also surveyed in this poll, rose by 2 percentage points to 40% compared to last month's survey. The percentage of respondents who said they "do not support" the cabinet was 37%, down 7 percentage points from last month. NHK noted that this is the first time in three months since December last year that the percentage of respondents who "support" the Suga Cabinet exceeded those who "do not support" it in NHK's public opinion surveys.

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