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Nearly 70 per cent of Japanese firms want the Tokyo Olympics either cancelled or postponed, a Reuters survey found, underscoring concerns that the Games will increase coronavirus infections at a time when the medical system is under heavy strain.
With just nine weeks to go before the Games, states of emergency have been imposed in much of Japan until the end of the month to counter a spike in infections that has resulted in a shortage of medical staff and hospital beds in some areas.
The Corporate Survey, conducted May 6-17, showed 37 per cent of firms were in favour of cancellation, while 32 per cent want a postponement.
The results of the survey are roughly in line with public opinion polls.
The government and International Olympic Committee have repeatedly said the Games will go ahead.
About 70 per cent of the 10,500 athletes due to attend have already qualified.
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach indicated that the Tokyo Olympics has entered the “operational delivery mode” when he said that athletes from around the world are “looking forward to a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games”.
With just 65 days to go until the opening ceremony, IOC president said that “we are now very delivery-focused”.
Addressing the members virtually, Bach confirmed that 75 per cent of the residents of the Olympic Village have either been vaccinated or “have secured vaccination”, and that there “is good reason to believe that this figure will be well over 80 per cent at the time of the Games”.
His comments came after a survey showed how “nearly 70 per cent of the Japanese population is opposed to the Olympics this summer”.
