His Majesty is very concerned about the current situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and fears that the coming games might further increase coronavirus cases, the head of the Imperial Household Agency, Yasuhiko Nishimura, said.

However, the official explained that the Emperor has not overtly expressed his concerns to him, but his reservations on the subject are noticeable during daily dispatches.

For his part, the main spokesman for the Japanese Government, Katsunobu Kato, did not take Nishimura’s statement seriously, a month before the beginning of the Olympic Games, and said that they are only the opinion of the great delegate. I would like the Imperial Household Agency to provide details, but, as I said, we will celebrate safe and protected games, Kato stressed at a press conference.

The concerns about the possible epidemiological risks posed by the Olympic Games amid a pandemic are still strong among the Japanese population, despite the fact that the Government and the organizing committee have repeatedly promised that proper measures will be taken.

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