Tokyo Olympics to be Held Without Spectators... Spectators Excluded from Venues in Tokyo

A five-party meeting on the hosting of the Tokyo Olympics is being held with Thomas Bach, IOC President, attending via video conference.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The Tokyo Olympics scheduled for the end of this month will ultimately be held without spectators.

According to foreign media on the 8th (local time), the Japanese government held a five-party meeting related to the Olympics with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and others, deciding not to allow spectators, both domestic and overseas, at the venues in Tokyo where a COVID-19 state of emergency has been declared.

Seiko Hashimoto, Chairperson of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee, expressed regret, saying, "We are sorry that the Olympic Games will be held in a very limited form due to the spread of COVID-19," and apologized to those who purchased tickets.

Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa stated, "We will consult with the relevant local governments regarding events held outside Tokyo," but it is highly likely that spectators will also not be allowed there.

The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 8 at 42 venues across nine metropolitan governments, including Tokyo and four other metropolitan areas in the capital region.

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