The Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, official sponsor of the Olympic Games, called on Wednesday for the cancellation of the jousts and described the event as “a health threat.”
In an editorial, the newspaper called on Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to make a “calm and objective assessment of the situation and make a decision to cancel these Summer Olympics.”
The call coincides with growing opposition in Japan, where polls show that the majority of the population refuses to hold the Games as planned, between July and August.
The editorial points out that “you cannot accept the bet” to hold the games, despite the fact that the organizers assure that it can be done safely.
He also accused the leaders of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in particular its vice president John Coates, of being “clearly out of step” with the Japanese public.
Asked last week if the Games would be held even under the state of emergency due to the coronavirus, Coates said: “the answer is absolutely yes.”
Tokyo and other parts of Japan are currently under a state of emergency, which should be extended this week until June 20.
“Saying ‘yes’ without any solid support exposes the conceited image of the IOC,” notes the Asahi editorial.
The newspaper’s warning comes when the Games are less than two months away, and shortly after the United States issued a travel alert to Japan for the coronavirus threat.
However, the White House said Tuesday it supports plans to hold the Games. (GG) (AFP)