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Post by Admin on May 26, 2021 20:00:05 GMT
Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper on Wednesday called for the Tokyo Olympics to be canceled with the Games set to open in less than two months.
It is the first of Japan's major newspapers to make the move and joins some regional newspapers that have recently added to the growing opposition to holding the Olympics.
Coming out against the Olympics could be significant since the newspaper, like many in Japan, is a sponsor of the postponed Tokyo Games that are scheduled to open on July 23. Asahi is typically liberal-leaning and often opposes the ruling party led by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
"We cannot think it's rational to host the Olympics in the city this summer," the newspaper said in its editorial under a headline that read: "We Demand PM Suga Decide Cancellation."
U.S. warns against Japan travel ahead of Games "Distrust and backlash against the reckless national government, Tokyo government and stakeholders in the Olympics are nothing but escalating," the editorial added. "We demand Prime Minister Suga to calmly evaluate the circumstances and decide the cancellation of the summer event."
Asahi has a morning circulation reported at 5.16 million and 1.55 million for its evening edition. It is the second-largest circulating newspaper in the world, behind Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun.
Despite the editorial, there is no indication the International Olympic Committee or local organizers have any plans to pull the plug on the Games. But opposition is mounting with only a tiny percentage of Japanese people now vaccinated.
Tokyo organizing committee CEO Toshiro Muto said Wednesday he was aware of the editorial, but he offered little response.
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Post by Admin on May 29, 2021 21:11:54 GMT
Between 60 and 80 per cent of Japanese people want the Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled or postponed, according to four surveys in May. They point to the rising number of Covid-19 cases and the government’s failure to deal with the crisis. An editorial on May 26 in Asahi, one of Japan’s most prestigious newspapers and an official partner of the Tokyo Olympics, urged Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to cancel the Games. Mainichi, another major paper and official partner to the Games, along with 15 other local newspapers, have also published critical editorials in recent weeks. They have taken issue with the comments of senior International Olympic Committee officials. On May 22, IOC chief Thomas Bach said: “We have to make some sacrifices to make this possible.” A day earlier, when a reporter asked John Coates, an IOC vice-president, if the Games would go ahead even if a state of emergency was in force in Japan, he replied, “Absolutely, yes.” Renowned Japanese publishers placed a full-page advert in three major Japanese newspapers, Nikkei, Yomiuri and Asahi. The message – “No vaccine, no medicine. Should we fight with bamboo spears? We will be killed by politics” – was accompanied by an image of high-school girls practising how to fight against US soldiers with a bamboo spear during World War II. READ FULL ARTICLE
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Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2021 19:18:41 GMT
The countdown clock for the Tokyo Olympics hit 50 days Thursday, and the day also brought another problem for the delayed Games.
About 10,000 of 80,000 unpaid volunteers for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have told organizers they will not participate when the Games open on July 23.
Organizers said some dropped out because of worries about COVID-19. Few volunteers are expected to be vaccinated, since most will have no contact with athletes or other key personnel.
Only about 2-3% of Japan's general population has been fully vaccinated in a very slow rollout that is just now speeding up. Conversely, the International Olympic Committee expects at least 80% of athletes and residents of the Olympic Village to be fully vaccinated.
"We have not confirmed the individual reasons," organizers said in a statement. "In addition to concerns about the coronavirus infection, some dropped out because they found it would be difficult to actually work after checking their work shift, or due to changes in their own environment."
Organizers said the loss would not affect the operations of the postponed Olympics.
Unpaid volunteers are a key workforce in running the Olympics and save organizers millions of dollars. Volunteers typically get a uniform, meals on the days they work and have daily commuting costs covered. They pay for their own lodging.
A study done for the IOC on volunteers at the 2000 Sydney Olympics said their value was at least $60 million for 40,000 volunteers.
To mark 50 days, organizers unveiled the podiums, costumes and music that will be used during the medal ceremonies. Organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto again promised the Olympics will be safe for the athletes.
"The Tokyo 2020 organizing committee will absolutely make sure to protect the health of the athletes," she said.
Support for the Olympics continues to lag in Japan, with 50-80% -- depending how the question is phrased -- saying the Games should not open on July 23.
Tokyo is officially spending $15.4 billion to organize the Olympics, and several government audits say it's much more. All but $6.7 billion is public money. The IOC's contribution is about $1.5 billion.
Japan has attributed just over 13,000 deaths to COVID-19, far lower than most comparable countries, but higher than many Asian neighbors.
On Thursday, the Japanese soccer association said a member of the Ghana team had tested positive upon arrival in Tokyo. The player was separated from the team and placed in quarantine.
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Post by Admin on Jun 14, 2021 2:39:06 GMT
World No. 2 Naomi Osaka earned her first Olympic berth for Japan on Monday with the release of the international tennis rankings used to determine automatic qualification for this summer's Tokyo Games.
Automatic entry will be awarded to the top 56 men's and women's singles players, with a limit of four per country, and top 10 doubles pairs based on Monday's WTA and ATP rankings.
The singles and doubles draws include slots for the host nation, with Japan possibly receiving additional berths in the case of eligible players withdrawing due to injury or other reasons.
Osaka withdrew from the French Open, which concluded Sunday, after revealing her battle with depression. The 23-year-old pulled out following the first round of the Grand Slam tournament after initially declining to take part in post-match press conferences.
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Post by Admin on Jun 18, 2021 18:54:27 GMT
Having no spectators at the Tokyo Olympics is the "least risky" option, Japanese medical experts have said.
In a report, they warned there was "a risk the movement of people" would spread Covid infections and "strain the [country's] medical system".
But other Japanese officials have indicated they want domestic fans to attend if possible. Foreign spectators have already been banned.
The final decision is expected on Monday 21 June.
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