Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said suggestions were being considered regarding the possibility of allowing domestic spectators at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics this summer.
"We are working on this issue by listening to various voices and considering suggestions," Suga said on Friday. "For the time being, we would like to be able to lift the state of emergency."
As a state of emergency is ongoing in several areas, there has been some skepticism about the prospect of holding the Olympics.
"We will take all possible measures to ensure that athletes and people involved in the Games can participate with peace of mind," the prime minister said.
"Even under the state of emergency, baseball and soccer games are being held with measures to prevent the spread of infection. I believe that we can handle the situation by referring to these examples," he said. It has been decided that general visitors from overseas will not be allowed.
To mitigate the spread of infections, Suga said: "The number of visitors expected to come to Japan has been reduced to 59,000 for the Olympics and 19,000 for the Paralympics. We will request a further reduction."
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
