Japanese newspaper calls for Tokyo Olympics cancellation - despite being an event sponsor

The 2020 Olympics have already been postponed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Yet a surge in cases in 2021 means many are again asking for the event to be cancelled. The International Olympic Committee has already said the Games will go ahead as planned. However, pressure to call off the even is now mounting. Japan’s Asahi Shimbun newspaper, an official Tokyo Olympics sponsor, called for the Games to be cancelled on Wednesday. An editorial in the paper described the event as “a threat to health”.

The daily also called on Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to take action. “Make a calm, objective assessment of the situation and make the decision to cancel this summer’s Olympics,” said the newspaper.

The call comes with public opposition growing in Japan, where polls show a majority are against the Games going ahead. The Games are currently scheduled for July 23-August 8.

The editorial said it “cannot accept the gamble” of holding the event, despite organisers insisting it can go ahead safely.

The article also takes aim at IOC leaders, including vice-president John Coates. Scathingly, the newspaper describes these leaders as “self-righteous” and “clearly out of step” with the Japanese public.

Coates said the Games will be held even as Japan deals with a new wave of cases.

Tokyo and other parts of Japan are currently under a state of emergency. That emergency is expected to be extended this week until June 20.

“Saying ‘yes’ without demonstrating any clear grounds for it once again drove home the self-righteous image of the IOC,” the editorial said.

Can the Tokyo Olympics be cancelled?

It comes less than two months until the Games are set to begin. It is also worth noting the US State Department issued a travel warning for Japan over virus risks.

The White House said on Tuesday that it supports plans to hold the Games. Press secretary Jen Psaki saying “our position has not changed on the Olympics”.

“There are very specific entry and movement rules and procedures which the organisers have laid out in order to ensure the protection of everyone involved,” she added.

Cancelling the Games would cost Japan around 1.8 trillion yen ($16.6 billion), a research institute said Tuesday.

But the Nomura Research Institute warned that the country could suffer even greater economic damage as a result of holding the Games.

(With agency inputs)