Photo/Illutration A logo of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is seen in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on Jan. 23. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

More people in and outside Japan are voicing doubts about holding the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

In a poll taken by The Asahi Shimbun on Jan. 23 and 24, 86 percent of respondents said the Games should be "postponed again" or "canceled." This was to be expected, given that the global COVID-19 pandemic is showing no signs of abating, and the health care system in Japan is under tremendous strain.

The International Olympic Committee has the final word on how matters should proceed. But meaningless tough talk--such as "there is no Plan B" and "the Games must be held as proof of humankind's triumph over the coronavirus"--is all we keep hearing from the IOC as well as the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Japanese government and the Tokyo metropolitan government.

With none of those entities showing any readiness to take the public's doubts and concerns seriously and try to explore solutions together, every new remark they make only alienates them further from the public.

Ever since the decision was made last spring to postpone the Tokyo Olympics, Asahi Shimbun editorials have repeatedly argued against being tied down to then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's idea of holding the postponed Olympics "in their entirety."

And the editorials recommended the following: Consider various options, including holding "zero spectator" events; assess the pros and cons for each option; and define the criterion for decision-making and set the deadline for the final decision.

The Asahi made these recommendations because if the "unifying power" of the Olympic Games was to be maintained even under the unprecedented circumstances, it would be of paramount importance to ensure adequate disclosure of information and transparency of the deliberative process, as well as to tap the collective wisdom of the public at large. 

However, the Olympic authorities not only ignored these recommendations, they also fought among themselves over measures to curb the cost increases resulting from the Games' postponement. Their conduct only served to deepen the public's mistrust.

A growing number of Olympians--the real stars of the Games--are now complaining and voicing concerns about not getting adequate information about what to expect in the days ahead.

With less than six months left until opening day, we demand anew that the authorities issue a reasonable schedule as soon as possible.

Their top priority must be to protect the safety and daily lives of citizens. According to plans, cooperation will be sought of 10,000 doctors and nurses to maintain the health of the athletes, fans and volunteers.

But this is obviously never going to happen, considering the excessive burden such an arrangement would place on the already strained health care system.

And as for COVID-19 vaccines, the current situation does not inspire much optimism. 

The significance of the Olympic Games lies in the coming together of people from around the world to celebrate peace through sports.

But with the Tokyo Olympics, practical decisions are needed that accommodate a set of special circumstances, including severely restricting the audience size, even down to having no spectators.

And depending on the country or the sport, there are uncertainties about holding competitions for the selection of national teams. This is one of the difficult problems the Olympics authorities must address to guarantee the fairness indispensable to competitive sports.  

The IOC is scheduled to hold a directors' meeting on Jan. 27. We remind them that the entire world will be watching very closely to see how they will deal with the situation to earn people's understanding and empathy.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 27

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