Japanese Official Says Olympics Could Still Be Canceled
2021-04-16
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1A top ruling party official in Japan said Thursday it is still possible that the Tokyo Olympics could be canceled.
2The comment came from Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
3He spoke to broadcaster TBS as COVID-19 cases have been rising across Japan.
4"If it seems impossible to go on with the games, they must be definitely canceled," Nikai said.
5"If there is a surge in infections because of the Olympics, there will be no meaning to having the Olympics."
6However, Nikai added that he felt it was important for Japan to keep working to put on a successful Olympic Games. "It is a big opportunity.
7I want to make it a success," he said. "We will have many issues to resolve and prepare, and it is important to take care of them one by one."
8Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in a statement there was "no change to the government position to do everything to achieve a safe and secure Olympics."
9Tokyo organizers said they -- together with officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) -- "are fully focused on hosting the games this summer."
10The recent rise in COVID-19 cases included 729 new cases in Tokyo on Thursday, the most since early February.
11Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike urged people in the city to take extra protections and asked people from outside Tokyo not to visit.
12Tokyo, Osaka and several other areas began new anti-virus restrictions this month.
13The measures limited operating hours for restaurants and drinking establishments.
14Local media reported other areas were likely to put new restrictions in place as well.
15Some experts have warned that a new COVID-19 version, or variant, might replace the current virus and cause an explosion of infections by early May.
16Another Japanese official told a local television station that if the Tokyo Olympics do go forward, the events may be held with no fans. "
17I think the question is how to do the Olympics in a way that is possible in this situation," said Taro Kono.
18He is the government minister in charge of Japan's vaccination efforts. "That may mean there will probably be no spectators."
19The delayed Tokyo Olympics are set to open on July 23, with the Paralympics to follow on August 24.
20Fans from outside Japan have already been banned. Now even Japanese attendees could be kept away.
21Tokyo organizers have said they expect to announce a decision this month on the number of fans permitted at each event.
22I'm Bryan Lynn.
1A top ruling party official in Japan said Thursday it is still possible that the Tokyo Olympics could be canceled. 2The comment came from Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. He spoke to broadcaster TBS as COVID-19 cases have been rising across Japan. 3"If it seems impossible to go on with the games, they must be definitely canceled," Nikai said. "If there is a surge in infections because of the Olympics, there will be no meaning to having the Olympics." 4However, Nikai added that he felt it was important for Japan to keep working to put on a successful Olympic Games. "It is a big opportunity. I want to make it a success," he said. "We will have many issues to resolve and prepare, and it is important to take care of them one by one." 5Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in a statement there was "no change to the government position to do everything to achieve a safe and secure Olympics." 6Tokyo organizers said they -- together with officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) -- "are fully focused on hosting the games this summer." 7The recent rise in COVID-19 cases included 729 new cases in Tokyo on Thursday, the most since early February. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike urged people in the city to take extra protections and asked people from outside Tokyo not to visit. 8Tokyo, Osaka and several other areas began new anti-virus restrictions this month. The measures limited operating hours for restaurants and drinking establishments. Local media reported other areas were likely to put new restrictions in place as well. 9Some experts have warned that a new COVID-19 version, or variant, might replace the current virus and cause an explosion of infections by early May. 10Another Japanese official told a local television station that if the Tokyo Olympics do go forward, the events may be held with no fans. "I think the question is how to do the Olympics in a way that is possible in this situation," said Taro Kono. He is the government minister in charge of Japan's vaccination efforts. "That may mean there will probably be no spectators." 11The delayed Tokyo Olympics are set to open on July 23, with the Paralympics to follow on August 24. Fans from outside Japan have already been banned. Now even Japanese attendees could be kept away. 12Tokyo organizers have said they expect to announce a decision this month on the number of fans permitted at each event. 13I'm Bryan Lynn. 14The Associated Press and Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. 15We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 16_____________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18definite - adj. for sure, fixed, not likely to change 19surge - n. a fast increase in something 20opportunity - n. a situation in which it is possible for someone to do something 21achieve - v. to succeed in doing something 22focus - v. give special attention to something 23spectator - n. someone who watches an event, sport, etc.