No Change To Japan's Olympics Plans Despite WHO Pandemic Declaration: Top Gov't Spokesperson
Japanese government promised to continue preparations for Tokyo 2020.
Saturday 14 March 2020 | 07:50
A pedestrian wearing a face mask passes by an electronic countdown timer for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 25, 2020. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)
Japan's top government spokesperson said Thursday Japan will continue as scheduled to make preparations for Tokyo to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The remarks made at a press briefing by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, came as the World Health Organization (WHO) a day earlier declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga gives a speech during the "One Year to Go" ceremony held to celebrate the one year countdown to Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 25, 2019. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)
JonDay
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus saying Wednesday that there are "deep concerns by the alarming levels of spread and severity and the alarming levels of inaction," has led some to voice concerns about the summer Games going ahead.
An aide to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has also reportedly expressed his reservations, saying the WHO statement could create a sense that the world is in no position to hold the Olympics.
COVID-19 infections have now been confirmed in more than 110 countries and regions around the world.
