One-third Of Japan's Population Wants The Tokyo Olympics To Be Canceled

Illustration of journalists taking pictures of the Olympic giant ring on December 1, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - A poll conducted by state television station NHK said Tuesday that a third of Japanese residents wanted the Tokyo Olympics to be canceled amid fears that the influx of foreigners could cause a spike in COVID-19 cases.

The Japanese government and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided in March to postpone the 2020 Olympics for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is scheduled to be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021.

However, as Japan grapples with a third wave of infections, the NHK poll, conducted from December 11-13, showed 32 percent of respondents wanted the Summer Olympics to be canceled altogether.

Launching Antara, Tuesday, December 15, only 27 percent said the Olympics should be held on schedule while 31 percent liked postponement again.

According to an NHK poll in October, 40 percent preferred the Olympics to be held as planned with only 23 percent favoring cancellations and 25 percent preferring further postponements.

While Japan has avoided the number of infections and deaths that have occurred in many countries around the world, the emergence of new cases has forced the government to take steps such as asking bars and restaurants to close early.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday suspended a widely criticized travel subsidy program to help stem the growing number of cases.