K-1 WORLD GP 2020 JAPAN was held on Sunday at Saitama Super Arena, after the central and Saitama prefecture governments had asked for restraint to hold the event and prevent the new coronavirus from spreading. The organizer announced that about 6,500 people attended.
A request from Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister in charge of economic revitalization, repeatedly asked the organizer to refrain from holding the event. In response to the government's request, the organizer asked spectators to write down their contact information so that they can be contacted if anyone was found to be infected with the virus.
Around 1 p.m on Sunday, spectators formed a long line in front of the venue, and the organizers installed thermographs to detect body temperature and distributed masks. Audiences said they were encouraged to use hand sanitizer, asked not to shout, and drinking water was distributed.
A male high school student from Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, whose parents opposed him attending the event said, "The ticket was expensive, so I was wondering what to do if it was canceled." On the other hand, A male company employee of Kita Ward in Saitama, said: "It was almost full, and attendees next to me were so close and shouting. I thought it was dangerous."
Saitama Gov. Motohiro Ono showed up at the venue to check whether the measures were being implemented. "It is regrettable the event was held despite our request for cooperation to refrain from holding the event," he said at a press conference at the government office.
"It is regrettable that the event was held, but the request is not binding. Most people followed the request of the organizers by wearing masks and using hand sanitizer," Nishimura told The Yomiuri Shimbun.
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