Tokyo Governor says Olympics must go ahead in 2021

The Governor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Yuriko Koike, has advised that the Olympics must go ahead next year as a symbol of world unity in overcoming COVID-19.

While Japan continues to battle with a spike in Coronavirus cases, Koike, identified by commentators as a potential future Japanese Prime Minister, told Reuters on Monday "I want to host them as a symbol of the world coming together to overcome this tough situation and of strengthened bonds among humankind.”

With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to have been held this month, their postponement due to Coronavirus has placed organisational and financial burdens on the Games organising committee.

In addition, there is a rising sentiment that feels they should be postponed again or cancelled.

A popular former television announcer who speaks English and Arabic, Koike (pictured), seen as a political outsider, was re-elected to her role by landslide majority in metropolitan elections held last week.

A recent increase in Coronavirus cases in Tokyo, which accounts for more than a third of Japan’s total of more than 20,000 people has coincided with a national campaign to promote domestic tourism.

Amid concern that increased travel could spread the Coronavirus outside the capital, Koike said it was important both to contain the virus and revive the slumping economy.

She advised “at present, a tough situation continues but ... by taking a proper response in Tokyo, I want to advance both the prevention of infections and social and economic activity.”