The people of Tokyo are not very keen for their city to host the postponed Olympic Games next year. In the weekend survey, 51.7 percent of respondents were in favor of canceling or further postponing the giant sports event. By contrast, 46.3 percent of respondents would like to see the Olympics in an alternative date from July 23, 2021.
The telephone survey was jointly organized by the Kyoto Agency and the Tokyo MX television station. About a thousand respondents took part in it. Of those who oppose the Olympics in 2021, a slightly larger part was in favor of its complete abolition. Due to the uncertain development of the international situation around the coronavirus pandemic, the rest would be for further postponement.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have so far called the possibility impossible, but two weeks ago, an influential member of the Games Organizing Committee, Harujuki Takahashi, called on the IOC to consider the option in the event of an unfavorable epidemiological situation.
More than a year is missing from the Olympics, but there are opinions that without a coronavirus vaccine, its safe organization will be very difficult. The organizers plan to simplify the games as much as possible in order to reduce costs and for safety reasons. Of the people in favor of the Olympic Games in 2021, only a third would want the Olympics in full, two thirds would be for various restrictions, including the possible exclusion of spectators.
So far, Tokyo Governor Juriko Koike has played a major role in organizing the Olympic Games, defending her post in Sunday’s election.
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