Does the Tokyo Olympics accept overseas audiences?

According to Japan’s Asahi Shimbun, on the 3rd, the Japanese government, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo Olympics Organizing Committee, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) held five-party consultations. The Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee Chairman Seiko Hashimoto said that before March 25, a decision will be made on whether to accept overseas audiences.

The chairman of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee Seiko Okohashimoto and the Japanese Olympic Aimarukawa Sudai attended the consultation meeting. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, IOC Chairman Bach and IPC Chairman Andrew Parsons participated online.

Regarding viewers from overseas, Marukawa said, “As the impact of the mutant strain cannot be predicted, the future situation is very difficult to predict and requires careful judgment.”

After the negotiation, Hashimoto Seiko told the media that “a decision will be made before March 25 when the torch relay starts” on whether to accept overseas audiences. The cadre of the Prime Minister’s residence said on the 3rd that “it is difficult to accept foreign audiences”. Relevant government officials in charge of the Olympics also stated that “from the situation of the new crown virus at home and abroad, we can see the conclusion”.

During the consultation meeting, it was also agreed to determine the upper limit of the total number of visitors, including domestic ones, in April.