TOKYO: A third of Japanese residents need the Tokyo Olympics to be scrapped amid fears that an influx of foreign arrivals might cause an additional spike in COVID-19 cases, a poll by public broadcaster NHK confirmed on Tuesday.
The Japanese government and International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided in March to postpone the 2020 Olympics by a yr because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, with the worldwide showpiece now slated to happen from July 23-Aug. 8.
However as Japan grapples with the 3rd wave of infections, the NHK poll, conducted from Dec. 11-13, confirmed 32per cent of respondents needed the Summer Games to be canceled totally.
Only 27per cent mentioned they need to go forward as scheduled whereas 31per cent favored another delay.
According to an NHK poll in October, 40per cent mentioned the Olympics ought to be held as planned with only 23per cent favoring cancellation and 25per cent preferring additional postponement.
While Japan has avoided the huge variety of infections and deaths seen in many different countries internationally, a current resurgence in cases has pressured the government to re-introduce steps such as requesting bars and restaurants to shut early.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday suspended a much-criticized travel subsidy program to help contain mounting case numbers as his approval ranking plummets over his dealing with the pandemic.
