It will be difficult to postpone the Tokyo Games once again, Japanese Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa said after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
The Games in Japan were delayed by a year, to this summer, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK, Marukawa said that it would be difficult to secure venues and accommodation in the event the pandemic forced a new postponement.
British media had recently reported that individual sponsors have allegedly suggested a postponement of the Games, set to start on July 23, to September or October.
To this, Marukawa said the Olympic organising committee has not heard anything about it.
“In any case it will be rather difficult to postpone the Games, especially since the first foreign athletes have already arrived at their preparation camps in Japan,” she said.
Japan’s Olympic organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have repeatedly vowed to deliver a “safe and secure” Games to all participants and Japanese citizens with strict coronavirus counter-measures.
In spite of all assurances, concerns persist, even if the Japanese government is now speeding up the extremely slow vaccination process.
At the moment, there are no signs the Games will be cancelled in the last minute.
Many Japanese would like a delay, according to polls.(dpa/NAN)
