Over EIGHTY PER CENT of Japanese people believe Tokyo Olympics should be cancelled or postponed amid fresh spike in Covid-19 cases with public opinion strongly against staging the Games just 10 weeks before start

 Over 80 per cent of the Japanese public oppose holding the Olympic Games in Tokyo this year amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The results of the new survey, published less than 10 weeks until the Olympics start, comes as the country battled a fourth wave of virus infections.

The poll by the Asahi Shimbun daily found 43 per cent of respondents want the postponed 2020 Games cancelled, while 40 per cent want it pushed further back.

A new survey has revealed enormous opposition amongst the Japanese public to staging the Olympic Games  in Tokyo this year

A new survey has revealed enormous opposition amongst the Japanese public to staging the Olympic Games  in Tokyo this year

Protesters march against the Olympics last week as public sentiment turns against the event

Protesters march against the Olympics last week as public sentiment turns against the event



This represents an increase on the respective figures of 35 per cent for cancellation and 34 per cent for postponement in a poll by the newspaper a month ago.

Only 14 per cent support holding the Games this summer as scheduled, a reduction from 28 per cent. The poll saw 1,527 people respond from 3,191 telephone calls.

If the Games, which are due to start on July 23, do go ahead, 59 per cent of those surveyed wanted no spectators. Only three per cent backed a Games with venues at full capacity.

A separate poll by Kyodo News published on Sunday found that 59.7 per cent back cancellation, though they did not list postponement as a choice.

The Tokyo Olympics - already postponed from the summer of 2020 - are set to begin on July 23

The Tokyo Olympics - already postponed from the summer of 2020 - are set to begin on July 23

A new survey has shown over 80 per cent want the Olympics either cancelled or postponed

A new survey has shown over 80 per cent want the Olympics either cancelled or postponed 

And a petition launched last week to scrap the Games attracted 350,000 signatures.

Olympic organisers are adamant the Games will go ahead as planned and believe stringent anti-virus measures, such as regular testing of athletes, bio-secure bubbles and a ban on overseas fans, will keep things safe.

Government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said 'efforts would be made so that the Japanese people understand the Tokyo Games will be held in a safe and secure manner.

A torch bearer takes part in the relay in Hiroshima Peace Park on Monday as the build-up to the Games continues despite the surge of Covid-19 cases

A torch bearer takes part in the relay in Hiroshima Peace Park on Monday as the build-up to the Games continues despite the surge of Covid-19 cases

'We need to give explanation on details of the concrete [anti-Covid] measures.'

Japan has registered 11,471 deaths and around 685,000 Covid cases. Numbers have climbed steadily in recent weeks amid the latest wave of infections.

The Japanese Government has been criticised for a comparatively slow vaccine roll-out.

Over EIGHTY PER CENT of Japanese people believe Tokyo Olympics should be cancelled or postponed amid fresh spike in Covid-19 cases with public opinion strongly against staging the Games just 10 weeks before start Over EIGHTY PER CENT of Japanese people believe Tokyo Olympics should be cancelled or postponed amid fresh spike in Covid-19 cases with public opinion strongly against staging the Games just 10 weeks before start Reviewed by CUZZ BLUE on May 17, 2021 Rating: 5

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