For the celebration of peace to be realized, utmost efforts should be made to dispel concerns spreading in society over the novel coronavirus.
Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, visited Japan and met Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and related senior officials, confirming the policy to realize the Olympics and Paralympics next summer.
They showed their intention to hold the Games by overcoming the coronavirus, with the IOC and Japan working together.
In Japan, the number of new infection cases per day has reached a record high and infections are spreading again.
It is estimated that a total of more than 10,000 athletes and officials in delegations of participating countries will enter Japan from abroad for the Olympics. First of all, it is important to take thorough coronavirus measures in Japan so that athletes are not worried.
An international gymnastics competition among Japan, the United States, China and Russia was recently held in Tokyo. Gymnasts were reportedly asked to take PCR tests every day and were forbidden from going out during the competition.
It is of great significance to try to reduce the risk of infection through trial and error in various international sports events. When the Games actually start, it will be necessary to conduct regular checkups of athletes and officials after they enter Japan and ensure that medical staff are stationed at places such as competition venues.
The prime minister and Bach agreed on a policy to accept spectators at the Games.
In the case of large-scale events, the government has set an upper limit of 50% of venue capacity. In professional baseball, tests were conducted on allowing the entry of spectators above the limit at Yokohama Stadium and Tokyo Dome. The move was aimed at using information technology to analyze the flow of spectators and the spread of airborne droplets.
It is important to examine the appropriate scale of seating capacity with objective data while determining the infection situation.
The government and the Tokyo Games organizing committee are discussing plans to accept spectators from overseas as well. There is a proposal to waive the 14-day quarantine that the government normally requires for people who enter Japan. The final decision reportedly will be made next spring.
In order to ease immigration restrictions, it is indispensable to strengthen border inspections. It is advisable for the government to establish a system to monitor the health and behavior of visitors using information technology.
The organizing committee has already sold 1 million tickets overseas. Should the infection spread from people entering Japan, there are fears that it could put pressure on the medical system. The government and the organizing committee are urged to deepen their discussions while obtaining the understanding of the public with the aim of holding the Games safely.
They also should make efforts to simplify the Olympics and reduce additional costs associated with the postponement.
The organizing committee has proposed cutting 30 billion yen, or 2% of the total costs for the Games. It plans to review temporary facilities, including the athletes' village, and reduce its presence. Efforts to cut costs must continue.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on Nov. 19, 2020.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
