Japanese Ambassador confident Olympics will go ahead despite COVID-19

Despite lingering doubts about the staging of the Tokyo Olympics this summer, the top Japanese diplomat in Jamaica is expressing confidence that his country will be able to host the quadrennial event, inspite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last March the International Olympic Committee (IOC)  announced new dates for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, postponing both events to this year in an effort to guard against the spread of covid-19. 

Japan declared a one month State of Emergency (SOE) in Tokyo and three nearby areas on January 7 as COVID-19 cases continue to surge.

However, Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica Masaya Fujiwara, is optimistic that COVID-19 counter measures being developed by the organizers will prove effective. Ambassador Fujiwara also believes the current SOE in Tokyo will help to bring the spread of the virus under control.

He also suggested that COVID-19 vaccination which is set to start in Japan at the end of February, should help to ease the fear and uncertainty.

Ambassador Fujiwara was speaking in an interview with TVJ Sports earlier this week. The Olympics are set to run from July 23 to August 8 and the Paralympics from August 24 to September 5.