Japan E-Commerce CEO Calls Olympics "Suicide Mission"

With just over 10 weeks until the Games open on July 23, public opinion remains opposed, with most favouring a further delay or cancellation.

Holding the Tokyo Olympics this summer would be a "suicide mission" as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage around the world, the head of Japan's e-commerce giant Rakuten has warned. "It's dangerous to host the big international event from all over the world," CEO Hiroshi Mikitani said in an interview with CNN. "So, the risk is too big and... I'm against having the Tokyo Olympics this year," Mikitani said, describing the Games as "a suicide mission". On Friday, Japan extended a coronavirus state of emergency as the nation is battling a fourth wave of virus infections.