Tokyo Olympics Two Major Sponsors Clash Over Hosting... "Should Host" vs "Should Cancel"

Asahi "Tokyo Olympics Hosting Does Not Make Sense"
Yomiuri "Environment for Hosting Is Being Prepared... Government Must Show Safe Games Realization"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As COVID-19 spreads rapidly, raising concerns about the hosting of the Tokyo Olympics, Japan's two major newspapers, official sponsors of the Olympics, have revealed contrasting views on holding the event.

Asahi Shimbun, the second largest newspaper in Japan by circulation, published an editorial on the 26th stating, "It is absolutely unreasonable to think that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics should be held this summer as planned," and "We demand Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to calmly and objectively assess the surrounding situation and make a decision to cancel the event this summer."

This is the first time a major Japanese media outlet has called for the cancellation of the Olympics through an editorial.

Asahi Shimbun is a sponsoring company listed as an official partner of the Olympics, which made this editorial even more notable.

Amid Western media criticism that major Japanese media outlets have been reluctant to address calls for Olympic cancellation due to their vested interests as Olympic sponsors, Asahi has broken the silence.

The Yomiuri Shimbun, which has the largest circulation in Japan, published an editorial on the 27th titled "Thoroughly implement infection prevention measures toward hosting," presenting a significantly different stance from Asahi.

Yomiuri stated, "The government has given up on accepting overseas spectators, and the environment toward hosting is being organized," and "The government must clearly show the path toward realizing a safe event."

It also suggested, "Over the past year, various infection control measures have been devised at large facilities and event venues," and "It would be good to utilize this accumulated knowledge to thoroughly implement measures during the Games."

While Yomiuri acknowledged that the COVID-19 outbreak has not yet been contained and public concern about the Olympics remains high, it proposed various ways to overcome difficulties, keeping in mind the possibility of the event being held. This reflects an intention to encourage the hosting.

Like Asahi Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun is also registered as an official partner of the Tokyo Olympics.

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