Amid the second surge of coronavirus pandemic across the world, an online poll was held in Japan to measure people’s impression as the country gears towards the Olympics game.
The world’s biggest multi-sports event, postponed last year due to the pandemic, is scheduled to be held from July 23 – August 8 in the Japanese capital.
Reports on trtworld.com has it that a “Kyodo News poll has showed that about 80% of people in Japan say this year’s Tokyo Olympics should be cancelled or delayed as worries mount about a record surge in coronavirus cases across the country.
The reports further noted that, “the survey found 35.3% want the Games to be cancelled and 44.8% favoured another delay.
“Kyodo News Plus is an online publication delivering the latest news from Japan together with those stories from around the globe in which Japan plays a key role”.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a state of emergency for the greater Tokyo region last week Thursday and could extend the measure to other areas as Japan struggles to contain a surge in infections.
The development of the opinion poll is coming amid the call of the Olympics official urging prioritisation of Covid-19 vaccine for athletes.
Survey also found that “About 79% said Suga’s decision to call the state of emergency for Tokyo came too late and 68% were dissatisfied with the government’s response to the pandemic.
While Athletes around the world are however preparing for the leviathan sports event, the new strain of the pandemic has continue to cast shadow on the feasibility of the event.
Even with Covid-19 vaccines now being rolled out, countries would need to step up their inoculation process in order to cover a large chunk of their population including the athletes.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are expected to cost some $12.6 billion.
