3. Toward the opening of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Next, I will speak about the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Games.
I wish to express my sincere respects to the athletes who, under the unprecedented circumstances of the one-year postponement of the Games, are engaging in intense training for their moment on the stage, trusting that the Games will be held.

I know that concerns have been voiced about hosting the Tokyo 2020 Games due to the current infection situation. It goes without saying that safe and secure operations of the Games are top priority, with effective COVID-19 measures being especially crucial. To that end we will thoroughly implement three measures: thorough reduction in the number of visitors to Japan; thorough supervision of conduct and health; and thorough review of the system of provision for health care. Under this policy, we are working with the national government, Organising Committee, and related experts to develop various concrete measures.

While taking into consideration the facts demonstrated at the various test events and further scrutinizing challenges from multiple perspectives, we will raise the effectiveness of infection measures. Moreover, these enhanced measures will be reflected in the Playbooks that set down the rules for Games participants, which will be updated this month.

Regarding the matter of allowing spectators from Japan, while following the COVID-19 restrictions on the number of spectators at sports events, we will be winding up discussions with the other stakeholders so that we can present a policy on this within this month. Although we are unable to welcome spectators from overseas, we will enhance online provision of information to an international audience during the Games. We will share Tokyo’s diverse arts culture and other charms, along with metropolitan initiatives for creating a hydrogen society, to enhance Tokyo’s international presence.

The Olympic Torch, which started its journey from J-Village in Fukushima Prefecture, continues to shine as it makes its way through Japan in a harsh environment that requires a balance between this relay and infection prevention measures. Once again, I extend my gratitude to everyone for your cooperation.

We will share with the world the Tohoku area’s recovery from the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake as the Recovery and Reconstruction Games, which was the original basis of the Tokyo 2020 Games. And as the first city to host the Summer Paralympic Games a second time, along with sharing the appeal of Para sports with many people, we will create a society that respects diversity and human rights. We will also present a new Olympic and Paralympic model that aims for “sustainable recovery.” This is truly a realization of the principles of the Olympic Charter: “to promote a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.”

There are 52 days until the opening of the Olympic Games and 84 days until the opening of the Paralympic Games. We will continue to collaborate with the Organising Committee, the national government, the IOC and IPC, and other related parties to solidly advance our final preparations and put forth our utmost efforts to deliver a safe and secure Games.