Despite growing speculation surrounding the global health risks of hosting the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike agreed Wednesday that the country will move forward with the global sporting event.
The two are the latest in a string of top government officials and organizers for the Tokyo Games who have recently tried to quell concerns over whether it is feasible to host the games amid a worldwide pandemic.
“The prime minister and I both hope to move forward with plans to host the 2020 Games,” Koike told reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office following the talks. “Regarding virus countermeasures, the capital will continue to work closely with the central government in strengthening hospital capacity and increasing testing numbers.”