This archive report was first published on 9 July 2021.
July 9, 2021, Tokyo, Japan - The ban on Tokyo Games spectators has left Olympic fans in Japan feeling resigned and frustrated.
Kyoko Ishikawa, a long-time Summer Games attendee, expressed her expectations about the decision to ban fans from most Olympic events, which was announced late Thursday.
Despite the ban, Ishikawa remains hopeful about connecting people through online events.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced a virus state of emergency for Tokyo from July 12 until August 22, limiting alcohol sales, shortening restaurant hours, and capping event attendance at 5,000 people.
The measure has raised concerns about the spread of the virus, with the Nikkei Shimbun newspaper warning that banning fans alone may not be enough to stop the spread.
“Even with no spectators, there are concerns that infections could spread, with tens of thousands of Olympic-related visitors coming to Japan,” the paper said.
The Asahi Shimbun newspaper accused the government of trying to “ram through” the event, citing the cancellation of school sports days and local festivals.
Some ticket-holders expressed frustration at the last-minute move, with Natsuko Kamioka saying, “They’ve avoided cancelling the Games but they haven’t been left with a good outcome. No one is happy.”
