Japan has been facing challenges in combating COVID-19, with slow vaccine distribution and a significant number of new cases daily. Amid these concerns, many Japanese citizens are expressing their worries about the safety of hosting the Tokyo Olympics.
A survey by Asahi Shimbun revealed that 83% of respondents out of 1,500 individuals believe the Olympics should be postponed or canceled. Additionally, 73% expressed doubts about the safety of holding the event, despite reassurances from Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
In response, Japanese citizens have taken to the streets in protest, advocating for the cancellation of the Olympics. Signs with messages like “Olympics kill the poor” and “put people’s lives ahead of the Games” can be seen at rallies in Tokyo. The petition on Change.org has garnered over 370,000 signatures from Japanese citizens urging the government to cancel the event. Moreover, 6,000 primary care physicians have warned Suga about the potential strain on hospitals if the games proceed.
The Tokyo Games are only ten weeks away, but much of Japan remains under a state of emergency to combat a rise in COVID-19 cases and a slow vaccine rollout.
Citizens are calling for the Games to be canceled, with some protesting in Tokyo’s streets.⬇️ pic.twitter.com/gHVaCZt24g
— Insider Asia (@InsiderAsia) May 20, 2021
Suga has acknowledged the concerns and emphasized the importance of prioritizing public health over the Olympics. He stated, “My priority has been to protect the lives and health of the Japanese population. We must first prevent the spread of the virus.”
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