Japan minister says `anything can happen` with Tokyo Games
- Kono's statements contradict the official government position and that of the local organizing committee. They have both said repeatedly the games will take place and will be “safe and secure.”
Japanese cabinet minister Taro Kono has said “anything can happen” in regard to the postponed Tokyo Olympics, raising more doubts about the games scheduled to begin in just over six months.
Kono's statements contradict the official government position and that of the local organizing committee. They have both said repeatedly the games will take place and will be “safe and secure.”
Kono opened the door to a possible cancellation. He also reiterated recent poll results that show about 80% in Japan think the Olympics shouldn't happen, or will not happen.
“I should say anything is possible,”Kono said at the Reuters Next conference.
Kono is the former defense minister and is now the minister for administrative and regulatory reform.
“It could go either way," he added.
Much of Japan is under an emergency order with new cases rising across the country. Japan has handled the coronavirus better than most countries and has attributed about 4,000 deaths of COVID-19.
The Olympics are to open on July 23 followed by the Paralympics on Aug. 24.
Organizers were asked for a comment but did not immediately respond.
Kono suggested few fans were likely to be attending with the focus on 15,400 Olympic and Paralympic athletes who must enter Japan. They will be accompanied by tens of thousands of officials, judges, volunteers, media, and broadcasters.
“We need to think about those people who come and watch, but we basically need to focus on the athletes first,"he said. ”And then if it''s possible, we need to get the tourists in.”
“So from now until summer, anything is possible,” he added.
Kono is known for for his forthright comments and has been clear about his interest in being prime minister. He attended Georgetown University in the United States and did the interview in English.
“The Olympic committee must have been thinking about Plan B, Plan C, whatever,” Kono said. "I mean, the situation is not easy. There must be some back-up plan.”
IOC officials and President Thomas Bach have said the Olympics cannot be postponed again and will be canceled if they can't be held.
Japan and the IOC are heavily invested in the Olympics. Japan has spent at least $25 billion to organize the Olympics, and the IOC relies on the games with 73% of its income coming from the sale or broadcast rights. Another 18% is from sponsors.
No fans from abroad for postponed Tokyo Olympics: Report
Tokyo Olympics add 12 women to executive board to reach 42%
- To accommodate the new women, the size of the board was increased from 35 to 45. Several resignations on Tuesday also created more space.
BWF extends Tokyo Games qualification window to June 15
Osaka says Tokyo 2020 chief resignation over sexist comments was 'really good'
Indian table tennis players look to shake off rust ahead of Tokyo qualifiers
- Anxious for competition amid the pandemic, stars like Achanta Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra will begin Olympics-focused build-up with the Table Tennis national championships.
Olympic boxing qualification events canceled, postponed
Tokyo organisers could choose new president this week: report
Quelling lockdown blues, race walker trio makes Tokyo cut
- At the National Open Race Walking Championships in Ranchi, Kumar and Goswami showed great resolve to not only book Tokyo Olympics berths, but also shatter the national records.
Navdeep, Arvind win gold to secure quotas for Tokyo Paralympic Games
Tokyo Olympics rules will make it a 'different experience', feel athletes
Reports: Mori to resign Tokyo Olympics over sexist remarks
- The move follows his sexist comments about women more than a week ago, and an ensuing and rare public debate in Japan about gender equality. They also come just over five months before the Olympics are to open.
Tokyo Olympics chief apologises, but refuses to resign over sexist comments
Tokyo Olympics chief says he may resign as furore grows over sexist comments
Right to protest rule could see Olympics face unique challenge
- Rule 50 is one of the 61 rules in the Olympic Charter, and specifically it is rule 50.2 which may turn up frequently in 2021, its pot constantly on stir and simmer. The rule says: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
