Tokyo will cancel all public Olympics viewing events in an effort to reduce the risk of coronavirus infections, the city governor said.

Having postponed the Games for a year because of the pandemic, Japan has already banned overseas spectators — in an Olympics first — while reducing the number of participants, volunteers and guests. However, officials are forging ahead with hosting the Games from July 23.

“We have decided to cancel these live viewing sites that gather people,” Yuriko Koike told reporters, after meeting Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. “On the other hand, we will make greater use of the web to create exciting atmospheres for the Games and to disseminate various cultural information.”

There had been six planned viewing sites, across the Japanese capital, according to AFP.

People walk on a street next to an advertisement for Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo on June 19. — Reuters
People walk on a street next to an advertisement for Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo on June 19. — Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...