Japan determined to hold Olympics, Paralympics

Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga pledged Friday that the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead this summer.

The Games were postponed last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, and polls have indicated the Japanese public want the event to be cancelled amid continuing concern over the spread of the virus.

But in a speech to a virtual meeting of the World Economic Forum, Suga said he was determined to press forward.

"Japan, this summer, will hold the Olympics and Paralympics," he said.

As a symbol that humanity has defeated the coronavirus and the world has united, we are determined to make the Olympics happen that gives courage and hope to the world.

Asked if there were any concrete measures to ensure a COVID-safe Olympics, Suga replied that the government was working on that, but added that basic anti-virus measures such as wearing masks could be the most effective ones.

"I know these are basic measures, but if all people in Japan do it, it could be the strongest measure," said Suga.

Japan has seen a virus surge in the last few months, and much of the country is under an emergency order.

The death toll in Japan is just over 5,000, and authorities have controlled the virus much better than many other countries.