Japan: Tokyo Olympics should be canceled or should not take place

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

In a poll conducted by Japanese News Agency Kyodo and the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), results show that more than 80% of Japanese want the Tokyo Olympics canceled or believe it should not take place.

Two polls were conducted by the news agency and presented a massive hike up of almost 60% from Kyodo’s survey last December 6, 2020.

During the past months before the close of 2020, Japan seemed in a good situation regarding COVID-19 protocols and parameters. But cases again surged this January, this being the sole reason for the scrapping of the Japan B. League All-Star festivities to be held in Mito City.

In the TBS survey, out of 1,261 respondents, 81% said that the Olympics should not take place while Kyodo’s poll registered 80.1%.

However despite the situation, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is firm with his decision of holding a “safe and secure” Olympics.

Suga said that the Olympics will have a high chance of pushing through because of the presence of the vaccine which will be offered to the participating countries.

Will Japan’s US$15.4-billion spending for the Olympics bear fruit? Or will it all go to waste?