Japan Reduces Entry of Tokyo Olympic Sponsors, Media, and Other Event Officials

Reduction of Event Officials Following Exclusion of Overseas Spectators
"Reduction Unavoidable Due to Infection Control Measures and Numerous Restrictions"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Following the restriction on overseas spectators for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games scheduled to be held in July this year, the Japanese government is also expected to reduce the entry of event-related personnel such as sponsoring companies and media. With a decline in ticket sales revenue and difficulties in promoting the Olympics, concerns are rising that it will be difficult to avoid controversy over a deficit Olympics.

According to Japanese local media including NHK on the 22nd, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato stated at a regular press conference that "there is a possibility of reducing the entry of Olympic sponsors and media personnel," and "Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa mentioned the reduction of event-related personnel entry." He further explained, "At the five-party meeting held on the 20th, there was an agreement to give up accepting overseas spectators," and "Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa said it was inevitable from the perspective of asking for understanding from the public who are continuing to live under many restrictions and infection control measures."

The five-party meeting held online on the 20th was conducted to decide whether to allow spectators to enter for the Tokyo Olympics. The meeting was reportedly attended by Olympic Minister Marukawa, Seiko Hashimoto, Chairperson of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee, Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo, Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Regarding the entry of Tokyo Olympic event personnel, Minister Kato said, "I think the IOC, IPC, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the Organizing Committee should discuss this first." Following the restriction on overseas spectators, if the entry of event personnel such as sponsors and media is also reduced, concerns are growing that the deficit scale of the Tokyo Olympics will increase further.

However, entry will reportedly be allowed for volunteers residing overseas. On the same day, Kyodo News reported that the Japanese government and the organizing committee are considering allowing entry for about 500 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic volunteers residing abroad.

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