Tokyo Olympics: Will local spectators be allowed to attend Games? Organisers, officials to take a call

More Japanese government officials and 2020 Tokyo Olympics organisers are in favour of holding the Games with local spectators as COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out, according to local media.

Japan is considering the possibility of allowing domestic spectators at the Tokyo Olympics despite the COVID-19 pandemic, local media reported on Wednesday, with organisers planning to monitor the movements of foreign media to prevent spread of the virus. More Japanese government officials and 2020 Tokyo Olympics organisers are in favour of holding the Games with local spectators as COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out and case numbers decline, the Asahi newspaper reported. This is in contrast with their position about a month ago when there was an atmosphere among Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's administration that the Games, starting July 23, needed to be held without spectators, the report said.