Start of COVID vaccinations in Japan offers hope to Tokyo Olympic organisers

Japan launched its coronavirus vaccination campaign Wednesday, months after other major economies started giving shots and amid questions about whether the drive would reach enough people quickly enough to save a Summer Olympics already delayed by the pandemic.

The Tokyo organising committee held a joint press briefing with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) after their meeting about COVID-19 countermeasures.

Despite a recent rise in infections, Japan has largely dodged the kind of cataclysm that has battered other wealthy countries' economies, social networks and health care systems.

But the fate of the Olympics, and the billions of dollars at stake, makes Japan's vaccine campaign crucial. The torch relay is to begin March 25 in northeastern Japan and will crisscross the country with about 10,000 runners. The relay ends in Tokyo with the opening ceremony of the Olympics on July 23. Several polls have shown about 80% of Japanese think the games should be canceled or postponed.

Image: AP