Ruling Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai expressed Thursday his view that calling off the Tokyo Games may have to be an option if the spread of the novel coronavirus cannot be stopped, while stating his wish to make the event successful.
"If the situation comes to the point where we cannot take it anymore, we should call off the Games without hesitation," Nikai said during a recording of a TBS communication satellite TV program, in response to an inquiry on concerns over the spread of the virus increasing due to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
"What's the point of holding the Olympics if it greatly spreads the infection?" he added.
Nikai also said the Games are "a big chance and I definitely want to make it a success."
A senior LDP official explained Nikai's statement, saying: "It was made as a worst-case scenario. The Games will not be canceled. They will be held."
As for the timing of the dissolution of the House of Representatives and a general election, Nikai expressed a negative view of the dissolution in spring.
"Rather than right now," he said, "it would be better to wait until the novel coronavirus situation calms down a little."
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