Japanese Media: "Tokyo Olympics, a Strange Event Held Amid Division and Distrust"

Asahi "Possibility of Suspension or Cancellation During the Event Should Not Be Ruled Out"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, postponed for the first time in Olympic history due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finally open on the evening of the 23rd, Japan's Asahi Shimbun has defined it as a "strange Games."

On the 23rd, Asahi Shimbun published an editorial titled "A Drifting Festival" on the day of the opening ceremony, reporting this view.

The newspaper, which drew attention last May by publicly urging Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide to cancel the Tokyo Olympics, has once again issued a negative evaluation coinciding with the Games' opening.

In the editorial, the paper stated, "This should be a time of excited anticipation, but with COVID-19 and the recent resignation and dismissal of pre-ceremony officials, there is no festive atmosphere or excitement in the air," adding, "In any case, the common and honest wish of 'many people' (the Japanese public) is simply for the Games to conclude safely."

It continued, "We repeatedly questioned the significance of holding the Olympics amid a pandemic, but the organizers only offered empty rhetoric, failing to gain the understanding and sympathy of the public."

Asahi then described this Olympics as "an unprecedented and strange Games opening amid division and distrust."

The paper also warned, "In Tokyo, infections are rapidly spreading, raising concerns about the collapse of the medical system," and urged, "Protecting life and health must be the top priority, and the possibility of mid-Games suspension or cancellation should not be ruled out as the Games proceed."

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga
[Photo by Reuters]

The newspaper also raised its voice in criticism of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) autocratic behavior.

It took issue with IOC President Thomas Bach's remark during a meeting with Prime Minister Suga that "seeing Japanese athletes perform will somewhat soften the feelings of the Japanese public (against hosting the Olympics)."

Asahi warned that if the IOC does not seriously listen to the host nation's people and make efforts to share their thoughts, the Olympics will soon drift without finding a host country in the near future.

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

Emphasizing that the organizers must devote all efforts to thorough infection prevention measures, Asahi demanded that not only must athletes and officials entering Japan be prevented from spreading the virus, but also that the virus must not spread from Japan to other countries.

Meanwhile, besides Asahi Shimbun, five other major daily newspapers simultaneously published editorials on the occasion of the Tokyo Olympics opening.

The Tokyo Shimbun expressed concern that the Olympics, which have divided opinions, could deepen conflicts and divisions within Japan.

The Mainichi Shimbun focused on a series of mishaps within the organizing committee, including the dismissal of Kobayashi Kentaro, the opening ceremony director who sparked controversy after a past video surfaced showing him using the Nazi German persecution of Jews as a comedic subject, lamenting that "the value of the Tokyo Olympics was damaged even before the opening."

Kentaro Kobayashi (Photo) [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan's largest daily newspaper, argued that the Olympics held amid COVID-19 should convey the importance of efforts to overcome difficulties to the world and give hope to people suffering from the pandemic worldwide.

Nihon Keizai Shimbun urged the Japanese government and the organizing committee to properly manage the Games based on reflections on past problems, saying, "We hope the athletes' struggles will make many people look back on the night of the 8th of next month, when the flame is extinguished, and say 'It was good that the Games were held.'"

Sankei Shimbun, classified as a far-right media outlet, wrote, "We still hear criticism asking 'Why sports at a time like this?' but that is wrong," adding, "It is precisely at times like these that the Olympics are needed. We hope the athletes will show the power of sports."

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