Japan Tokyo Olympics, Fukushima Events Changed to No Audience... Total 6 Regions

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] With most of the Tokyo Olympic events scheduled to be held without spectators, Japan has decided to forgo spectators even in Fukushima, where it had initially planned to allow audience attendance.

The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee announced on the 10th that all Tokyo Olympic events scheduled to take place in Fukushima Prefecture will be held without spectators.

Originally, the organizing committee planned to hold softball and baseball games at Azuma Stadium in Fukushima with spectators in attendance. However, following the local government's recent recommendation to hold events without spectators due to the worsening COVID-19 infection situation, the plan was changed.

Japan had intended to use the Tokyo Olympics to highlight an image of overcoming the damage caused by the nuclear accident by promoting the first game of the tournament, softball, in Fukushima. However, with Fukushima games now being held without spectators, such promotional efforts are expected to be difficult.

The number of regions holding events without spectators has increased to six, including Tokyo Metropolis, the four metropolitan prefectures of Saitama, Kanagawa, and Chiba, as well as Hokkaido. The organizing committee still plans to hold events with spectators in three regions: Miyagi Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture, and Shizuoka Prefecture.

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