Opinion polls have consistently shown the Japanese public is concerned about going ahead with the Games during the pandemic. Prime Mininster Yoshihide Suga's handling of the pandemic - including an initially slow vaccination rollout - has eroded his support. The issue is especially sensitive ahead of a national election and a ruling party leadership race due later this year. "We would ask people to support athletes from home," Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said on a Sunday TV programme. The government and organisers had long seen the Games as a chance to display Japan's recovery from a devastating 2011 earthquake and nuclear crisis.

Source: The Star July 12, 2021 08:26 UTC