Tokyo governor Koike says Japan COVID spike will not affect Olympic planning

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike acknowledged on Tuesday the seriousness of the recent increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in Japan, but is confident that Summer Olympic planning can continue unaffected. Japan is experiencing a resurgence of infections this month, with the nationwide daily total exceeding 2,000 recently as the government tries to balance preventive measures and business activity without further hurting the pandemic-hit economy.

Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan, Koike was firm about safely hosting the Olympics next summer despite growing concern about Japan's recent resurgence of the infections, saying organisers will continue to work with the IOC and other organisations to ensure the pandemic can be kept under control. Koike said it will also be important to keep Olympic costs under control to help reignite support for the games from a Japanese public that has become increasingly sceptical over whether Japan should hold the event.