Olympics in jeopardy: Most Japanese would rather cancel it

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Preparations for the Tokyo Summer Olympics have hit again. According to a new survey by the Yomiuri Shimbun agency, 59 percent of people would cancel the Olympics, 39 percent of people would hold it despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Guardian reported. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) expects the Games to begin on July 23, originally scheduled to take place last year.

The survey took place between May 7 and 9. It was drafted by the conservative agency Yomiuri Shimbun. The authors of the poll did not offer the possibility of postponing the games, because the organizers of the Olympics have already ruled it out.

Of the people who supported the games, 23 percent said they should take place without the presence of spectators. It is already clear that foreign fans will not fly to Tokyo. But it will not be clear how it will be with the locals.

The results of the latest survey only confirm the long-term trend of the Japanese, who do not consider holding games in the middle of a pandemic to be a good idea. Japan has extended the state of emergency in Tokyo and other cities until the end of May, as it fails to catch an increase in cases in several outbreaks. Paramedics in these places have already warned that the collapse in hospitals is approaching again.

A TBS News survey was published over the weekend, which captured the mood in the company in a similar way. 65 percent of respondents want to cancel the Olympics. Kyodo's April poll showed opposition by as much as 70 percent of Japanese.

According to the latest statements from the main actors, it seems that there is no agreement on the conditions for holding the Summer Games. IOC Vice President John Coates said on Saturday that he perceived the resistance of the population, but at the same time could not imagine that the Olympics would not take place.

Coates said, The Japanese Prime Minister told the President of the United States about two or three weeks ago. He regularly repeats this to the International Olympic Committee.

But on Monday, the Japanese head of government Yoshihide Suga said he did not intend to prioritize the event over public health. I will never put the Olympics first.