Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Less than a quarter of Japan’s population support next year’s Tokyo Olympics

Less than a quarter of Japan’s population support next year’s Tokyo Olympics
July 27, 2020

A survey of people in Japan has revealed that only 23.9% support holding the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics next year.

With less than a year until the rearranged opening ceremony of the Games, 36.4% of respondents to a nationwide opinion poll thought that the Summer Games should be postponed again, while 33.7% said they should be cancelled.

The results were revealed following a three-day Kyodo News telephone survey covering 721 randomly selected households with eligible voters and 1,374 mobile phone numbers.

Against the backdrop of a recent surge in Coronavirus cases in Japan, 75.3% of those supporting a further delay in the games or their cancellation, said the Coronavirus will not be contained anytime soon.

The Tokyo Games' organisers and the International Olympic Committee have agreed to simplify the rescheduled event, now due to commence on 23rd July next year.

On the question of what could be done to downsize the games, 44.1% said they should be held without spectators or with limited numbers at each venue, something which the International Olympic Committee has already ruled out.

Yasuhiro Yamashita, President of the Japanese Olympic Committee, recently said he backed the current plans by Tokyo organisers for a slimmed-down Olympics, stating “we will not gain support from Japanese citizens unless we simplify the games and focus less on flamboyancy and concentrate more on efficiency.”

Japan is also considering easing travel restrictions for foreign athletes from countries including those subject to its entry restrictions, if they are not infected with COVID-19. In relation to this, the poll found 69.1% are supportive of their participation, while 26.5% are against.

The poll also found more than half of the country's populace are dissatisfied with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's response to the spread of the Coronavirus.

Image: Tokyo's Japan National Stadium will be the centrepiece of next year's Games.

Related Articles

22nd July 2020 - Tokyo Olympics organisers confirm all venues for summer Games

15th July 2020 - Tokyo Governor says Olympics must go ahead in 2021

26th June 2020 - Tokyo Olympic organisers set to re-engage with sponsors

13th June 2020 - IOC Coordination Commission praises progress on Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics

8th June 2020 - National Olympic Committees to benefit from US$11.7 million of Tokyo 2020 funding to cover Coronavirus costs

7th June 2020 - Tokyo considering scaled down version for 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games

4th May 2020 - Indian sport looks to 2032 Olympic Games hosting

31st March 2020 - IOC confirms new dates for Tokyo Olympics

26th March 2020 - Tokyo Olympics organisers face ‘massive’ facilities costs for rescheduled Games

25th March 2020 - Coronavirus fears sees Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics postponed to 2021

23rd March 2020 - IOC sets deadline for potential Tokyo Olympics postponement

16th March 2020 - Olympic organisers announce on time completion of all Tokyo 2020 venues

10th March 2020 - No spectators to attend Tokyo Olympic Games torch lighting ceremony

3rd February 2020 - Indoor arena for 2020 Olympics and Paralympics opened in Tokyo

6th January 2020 - Chinese organisers move forward with 2022 Winter Olympics venues

7th December 2019 - Olympic Summit encourages international sporting bodies to explore esport opportunities

8th May 2019 - Olympic sport federations call for clarity on management of Tokyo Games