Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have begun accepting cancellations from schools no longer wishing to participate in a program that offers students the chance to watch events at nearby venues.
Some local governments close to Tokyo have already opted out of the program because of concerns over the coronavirus, and with the organizers yet to decide on a cap on spectators, many education boards remain uncertain if students will be able to watch athletes competing in the games.
In Nakai, Kanagawa Prefecture, 320 elementary and junior high school students were scheduled to watch soccer and baseball matches in Yokohama, but the town's board of education decided to pull out this month based on the views of school principals.