Japan has confirmed what many expected: Due to Covid emergency conditions in the Tokyo area, all Tokyo events at the upcoming Olympics will be played without spectators. It’s possible the ban may be extended to out-of-area venues as well. The Games are scheduled to begin July 23.
The decision came after months of advice from public health officials and even a hint from the Emperor that pushing on to hold the games, which were postponed from last year by the Covid-19 pandemic, was not a good idea. A previous decision did bar foreign visitors from coming for the games.
The organizers have now given way after Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike told Olympic officials and government ministers that she wanted to “share a sense of crisis” with them, especially pointing out that the city is even now limiting the movement of people around the city to help prevent the spread.
