Japanese PM Says G7 Leaders Supporting The Arrangement Of Olympics

Olympic Illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said that Group of Seven (G7) countries are giving their full support for efforts to hold the Tokyo Olympics this summer, as the host strives to stop COVID-19 and to inject the citizens quickly.

"I said at the meeting, that I wanted to bring about a safe and secure Olympics as a testimony that humanity will win the battle against the coronavirus," Suga told reporters after the virtual G7 summit held on Friday.

"I can have the support of all the leaders. That's very encouraging," he said.

The Tokyo Olympics were originally scheduled for 2020, but were postponed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Japan started vaccinations on Wednesday, being the last member among the G7 to do so.

More than half of Japanese companies believe the Olympics from July 23 to August 8 should be canceled or postponed again, a survey by the think tank institution, Tokyo Shoko Research showed this week, underscoring doubts over the viability of a major sporting event.