The Japanese government and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have committed to holding the Tokyo Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games next summer, with a review of coronavirus countermeasures to be released at the end of this year. The announcement comes after growing uncertainty whether the Tokyo Olympics would be cancelled altogether, leaving sponsors, tourism and hospitality businesses
in limbo. The postponed games face the challenges of balancing athlete and public safety, as well as keeping costs down to offset the losses incurred by postponing the games for a year. Last week, Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko met to formally agree to move forward with hosting the global event. Koike told reporters that the Tokyo municipal government will cooperate with the central government as a contribution to national interest, stating that she hoped to gain an understanding from locals on the event’s coronavirus precautions. The IOC has ruled out postponing the games for a second time and a government-led task force is currently planning how the global event can be staged safely, with suggestions that it will put on a simplified version of the event. Specific details around different scenarios are being finalized, such as adjusting immigration protocols in the event that Japan’s border remains closed to tourists. The government is also considering allowing athletes to enter Japan without a 14-day self-quarantine period, in favor of testing at point of entry in Japan and at stadium locations, as well the requirement for a negative test result three days prior to departure. The pledge consists of a prearranged itinerary outlining destinations and modes of transport. Failure to abide by the rules may end in eviction from the Village.
