Japanese Media Also Calls for "Tokyo Olympics Cancellation"

Asahi Shimbun Editorial on 26th: "Tokyo Olympics Must Be Canceled" ... First Among Major Papers
"Holding Games at Cost of Residents' Lives... Olympics Have Become a Tool to Sustain Regime"
Civilians Also Demand Cancellation or Postponement... Only 14% Support Hosting

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Amid growing public opposition to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics scheduled to open in Japan on July 23, a major Japanese newspaper has officially demanded Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to cancel the event for the first time.

On the 26th, Asahi Shimbun published an editorial titled "Demanding the Prime Minister to Decide on the Suspension (Cancellation) of the Summer Tokyo Olympics."

This is the first time that a major Japanese newspaper, which is also a sponsor of the Tokyo Olympics, has called for the cancellation of the Olympics through an editorial.

Asahi stated, "The spread of COVID-19 is not stopping, and the extension of the state of emergency declared in Tokyo and other areas is unavoidable," adding, "It is absolutely inconceivable to hold the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics this summer."

The newspaper further emphasized, "The lives and safety of the people come first," and "There is no guarantee that the virus spread will subside. We must not allow the Olympics to put ourselves at risk." It also pointed out the possibility of further COVID-19 spread, noting that more than 90,000 athletes and event personnel are expected to enter the country for the Olympics. Particularly, although vaccinations are underway, the vaccination rate remains sluggish and mostly focused on the elderly, making herd immunity a distant goal.

Asahi Shimbun also strongly criticized the insistence on holding the Olympics, likening it to a "gamble." The media stated, "The specific COVID-19 prevention rules related to the Tokyo Olympics have not yet been decided," and "We are in a situation where we must rely on people's voluntary preventive measures."

The media also pointed out that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is reallocating medical resources such as intensive care units to respond to the Olympics, resulting in residents who need urgent medical support not receiving appropriate treatment. This implies that the Olympics are being forced ahead at the expense of the residents.

The media continued, "Distrust and backlash against the government, local governments, and Olympic officials who ignore people's legitimate doubts and concerns and rush forward are growing," and "We demand the Prime Minister to calmly and objectively assess the surrounding situation and make a decision to cancel the summer event."

On the 23rd, citizens in Tokyo, Japan, held a protest demanding the cancellation of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Tokyo, Japan = EPA Photo by Yonhap News

Asahi criticized John Coates, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission Chair, for his remarks suggesting that the Olympics could be held even under a COVID-19 state of emergency, saying, "It reaffirmed the IOC's autocratic nature."

It added, "The Olympics have become a tool to maintain power and conduct elections," and emphasized, "What was the Olympics originally? When a festival that leaves society divided and does not receive universal blessing is forced, what do we gain and what do we lose? The Prime Minister must seriously consider this."

Public opinion among citizens is also leaning toward canceling or postponing the Tokyo Olympics. According to a poll by Asahi Shimbun, 43% of respondents called for "cancellation," 40% for "postponement," and only 14% supported holding the event this summer.

Meanwhile, Japan recorded 2,715 new COVID-19 cases the previous day, maintaining the number in the thousands. The cumulative number of confirmed cases stands at 721,912. However, the vaccination rate remains low at 5.23%, lower than South Korea's 7.54%, indicating sluggish vaccination progress.

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