Topline

Japan’s Asahi Shimbun, widely regarded as the most respected newspaper in the country, called for the Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled in an editorial published Wednesday, as the pandemic continues to rage there, and public opinion has turned away from the games.

Key Facts

The pandemic has “yet to be brought under control,” the paper wrote, “rendering it inevitable that the government will have to declare another extension of the state of emergency currently covering Tokyo” and other parts of the country.

Tokyo and several other areas of the country have been under a targeted state of emergency since April due to a surge in new cases caused by contagious Covid-19 variants.  

The editorial board called on Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to “evaluate the situation calmly and objectively” and come to the conclusion that it’s impractical to hold the games.

The Asahi Shimbun is one of several Japanese media companies sponsoring the games.

Key Background

Last week, International Olympics Committee (IOC) vice president John Coates said the Tokyo games would continue even if Tokyo and other parts of the country are still under a state of emergency, or if local authorities object to it. Most of the Japanese public is opposed to holding the games, with a survey released last week showing 83% of the Japanese public against it. The Tokyo Medical Practitioners Association, an organization representing more than 6,000 doctors, has also called on Japanese officials to cancel the games. 

Crucial Quote

Earlier this month, Suga insisted the games can proceed in a “safe and secure way” and that he will never "put the Olympics first" over the health of his citizens. The IOC and the World Health Organization have also said the Olympics can go on without negatively impacting public health. 

What To Watch For 

The games are slated to begin on July 23 and end on August 8. 

Surprising Fact

Japan has lagged far behind other developed countries in terms of vaccine distribution, with just 2.3% of its population fully vaccinated, according to Bloomberg’s tracker. The country has logged more than 32,000 Covid-19 cases in the last week, and 654 deaths. 

Chief Critic

“The central government, the Tokyo metropolitan government and Olympic officials are forging ahead relentlessly, refusing to address the public's perfectly legitimate questions and concerns,” the editorial board wrote. “Naturally, people's distrust and apprehension are growing.”

Big Number

5 million. That’s the circulation of the Asahi Shimbun. 

Further Reading

Tokyo Olympics Will Happen Even If Japan’s Under State Of Emergency, IOC Says (Forbes)

Japan Starts Drive To Vaccinate 36 Million Elderly People Against Covid-19 In Time For The Olympics (Forbes)