Holding the Tokyo Olympics this summer time would be a “suicide mission” as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage about the world, the head of Japan’s e-commerce giant Rakuten has warned.
“It’s dangerous to host the big international event from all over the world,” CEO Hiroshi Mikitani mentioned in an interview with CNN.
“So, the risk is too big and… I’m against having the Tokyo Olympics this year,” Mikitani mentioned, describing the Games as “a suicide mission”.
On Friday, Japan extended a coronavirus state of emergency as the nation is battling a fourth wave of virus infections.
The surge has place stress on the country’s healthcare program, with health-related specialists repeatedly warning about shortages and burnout.
With just more than 10 weeks till the Games open on July 23, public opinion remains opposed, with most favouring a additional delay or cancellation.
On Friday, a petition to cancel the Tokyo Olympics with more than 351,000 signatures was submitted to the city’s governor.
Mikitani, who has been important about the government’s handling of the pandemic and hosting the Tokyo Games this year, mentioned it was not also late to scrap the occasion, saying: “Everything is possible.”
But organisers say they can safely hold the Games thanks to virus countermeasures and point to a string of productive current test events, such as some featuring overseas athletes.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also told reporters on Friday: “It is possible to hold safe and secure Games. We want to firmly go ahead with preparations.”