More than 80% of Japanese oppose Olympics this summer: Poll

[Eugene]

Source: Agence France-Presse

17 May 2021 10:01AM
(Updated: 17 May 2021 10:10AM)

More than 80% of Japanese oppose Olympics this summer: Poll

TOKYO: More than 80 per cent of Japanese oppose hosting the coronavirus-postponed Olympics this year, a new poll published on Monday (May 17) showed, with just under 10 weeks until the Tokyo Games.

The latest survey comes after Japan expanded a COVID-19 state of emergency on Friday as the nation battles a fourth wave of virus infections.

The surge has put pressure on the country's healthcare system, with medical professionals repeatedly warning about shortages and burnout.

The weekend survey by the Asahi Shimbun daily found that 43 per cent of respondents want the Games cancelled, and 40 per cent want a further postponement.

Those figures are up from 35 per cent who backed cancellation in a survey by the paper a month ago, and 34 per cent who wanted a further delay.

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Read more: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/olympics-more-than-80-of-japanese-oppose-games-this-summer-poll-14825274

[MerryHolidays]

1. It would be great if they postponed this to 2022

I am not sure what the IOC is thinking. Most countries still have the pandemic in a significant way. Why would you bring athletes from around the world under these circumstances. Give the vaccines time...waiting one more year will be better all around.

I used to be a huge fan of both the Winter and Summer Olympics....but like most everything else, this is about cash, and very little else.

[Prof. Toru Tanaka]

5. "this is about cash"

Damn right it is!

[Irish_Dem]

2. This has to be hard for the Japanese people who are meticulous about health and cleanliness.

And if the pandemic is hitting Japan hard already, it makes no sense to bring in the Olympic crowds.
Japan is a small island state and will be overloaded quickly.

[Demovictory9]

3. doesn't make sense to have the Olympics this year

[SoCalDavidS]

4. Money Is More Important Than Lives

Priorities.

[Auggie]

6. 80% is high IMO