Photo/Illutration Yasuhiko Nishimura, the head of the Imperial Household Agency (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Under normal circumstances, Emperor Naruhito would be accorded the privilege of declaring the Tokyo Olympics open as the Games’ honorary president.

However, only 15 days from the Opening Ceremony, Naruhito’s itinerary for and the scope of the imperial family’s involvement in the Olympics remain “to be determined,” according to his top aide.

“We are in the process of scheduling,” said Yasuhiko Nishimura, head of the Imperial Household Agency, at a news conference on July 8. “I have nothing to say about it at the moment.”

Answers to questions such as what Naruhito will say in the opening statement of the Olympics, if he will host a feast at the Imperial Palace and invite foreign heads of state and other guests, and whether imperial family members will attend a sporting event are still “up in the air,” according to Nishimura.

Nishimura found himself in the spotlight recently after he inferred that Naruhito is deeply concerned about holding the Olympics while Japan battles the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“From what I gather, the emperor is concerned about holding the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, for which he serves as honorary president, while people are voicing anxiety over whether it will lead to a spread of infections,” Nishimura said at a June 24 news conference.

His remark was picked up by the news media, both domestic and foreign, and stirred a controversy.

Asked by reporters about the comment he made two weeks ago, Nishimura said, “I just want thorough countermeasures to prevent infections to be implemented in conjunction with the holding of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. That’s all.”

Related News