Japanese PM vows to protect Japanese health during Olympics

In the face of public opposition to the Olympics, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledged Tuesday, local time, to protect the health and safety of his people, despite the threats of the pandemic. The Japanese have already expressed concerns that the number of COVID-19 cases will increase in the country as thousands of foreigners enter during the Olympics.

“The world is facing many difficulties. But we can succeed in hosting the Games. This needs to be transmitted from Japan to the rest of the world. We will protect the health and safety of the Japanese public,” the politician stated in a closed-door meeting with a number of sports directors in the Japanese capital.

Suga admitted that preparations for the Olympics had suffered “setbacks”, but she tried to show optimism in his speech. “But the vaccination has started and after a long tunnel the exit is now within our field of vision.” According to the politician, just over 21% of Japan’s population (out of a total of 126 million people) has already been vaccinated.

Despite this, health experts in Japan denounced the holding of the Olympics at this time, especially after the local authorities declared a state of emergency, on the eve of the start of the Games. Cases have increased in recent days and have caused greater public disapproval. After all, tens of thousands of foreigners have begun to arrive in the country in recent days, including athletes, officials, staff, technicians and the press from around the world.

German Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, supported the prime minister’s statement. “Billions of people around the world will watch and enjoy the Olympics. They will admire the Japanese people for what they have achieved,” the official said, referring to the message of peace, solidarity and resilience that the Olympic organization intends to send to them. the public.

Bach also stated that canceling the Games was never an option because “the IOC never abandons its athletes”. The Olympics were initially scheduled for 2020, but have been postponed until this year due to the pandemic.

Sports controversies will begin on Wednesday in soccer and softball, two days before the Games Opening Ceremony scheduled for 8:00 a.m. (GMT) on Friday.