Hospitals in Japan's second largest city, Osaka, are running out of beds and ventilators under a large wave of new Coronavirus infections. Exhausted doctors warned of a "system collapse" and advised not to hold the Olympics this summer.

Japan: Medics warn against hosting Tokyo Olympics as COVID overwhelms Osaka hospitals

Tokyo is all set for Olympics even if on Sunday it reported 535 new cases of COVID-19, as the government is expanding the current state of emergency in the capital and other provinces.

Japan moves ahead for Tokyo Olympics amid concerns over new COVID-19 variants

Japan's government on Tuesday withdrew a&nbsp;bill&nbsp;that would have made it easier to deport failed applicants for refugee status, officials said,&nbsp;after&nbsp;the&nbsp;death&nbsp;in March of a&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lankan&nbsp;woman at an&nbsp;immigration&nbsp;detention centre sparked&nbsp;criticism.

Members of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) abandoned their attempt to pass an overhaul of the&nbsp;immigration&nbsp;law, party officials said, which would have meant asylum seekers could be deported&nbsp;after&nbsp;their third failed application.

The government had said the change would solve the problem of long detentions of asylum seekers. Lawyers, opposition lawmakers and human rights groups said it ran counter to international norms.

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Japan's treatment of foreigners facing deportation was put under the spotlight again&nbsp;after&nbsp;the&nbsp;death&nbsp;of 33-year-old Wishma Sandamali at an&nbsp;immigration&nbsp;detention centre in central Nagoya.

Sandamali died in early March&nbsp;after&nbsp;complaining of stomach pain and other symptoms from mid-January, Kyodo news reported. She went to police in August for help with domestic violence and was then detained for overstaying her visa, Kyodo said.

Opposition lawmakers had pushed authorities to show Sandamali's family video footage of her taken while she was in custody but that was turned down on security concerns, according to officials.

Criticism&nbsp;of the&nbsp;bill&nbsp;mounted online and one ruling party official told Reuters there was no point in pushing it through, given the growing backlash. Suga's support fell below 33 per cent&nbsp;in a recent poll by the Jiji news agency, reflecting frustration over his handling of the pandemic.

Japan&nbsp;has long been reticent about&nbsp;immigration&nbsp;and asylum, despite an ageing population and shrinking workforce that economists say could be alleviated by accepting more immigrants.

In 2019, just 0.4&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of asylum applications were successful in&nbsp;Japan, against 25.9 per cent&nbsp;in Germany and 29.6&nbsp;per cent in the United States.

Under the current system, some asylum seekers are granted provisional release from detention centres during their asylum process, meaning they can live relatively freely although they cannot work. Others are held in the centres, where they spend months or even years.

Japan's government on Tuesday withdrew a bill that would have made it easier to deport failed applicants for refugee status, officials said, after the death in March of a Sri Lankan woman at an immigration detention centre sparked criticism.

Japan's government on Tuesday withdrew a bill that would have made it easier to deport failed applicants for refugee status, officials said, after the death in March of a Sri Lankan woman at an immigration detention centre sparked criticism. Members of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) abandoned their attempt to pass an overhaul of the immigration law, party officials said, which would have meant asylum seekers could be deported after their third failed application. The government had said the change would solve the problem of long detentions of asylum seekers. Lawyers, opposition lawmakers and human rights groups said it ran counter to international norms. Also read | Japan to tighten immigration procedures after Carlos Ghosn flees country Japan's treatment of foreigners facing deportation was put under the spotlight again after the death of 33-year-old Wishma Sandamali at an immigration detention centre in central Nagoya. Sandamali died in early March after complaining of stomach pain and other symptoms from mid-January, Kyodo news reported. She went to police in August for help with domestic violence and was then detained for overstaying her visa, Kyodo said. Opposition lawmakers had pushed authorities to show Sandamali's family video footage of her taken while she was in custody but that was turned down on security concerns, according to officials. Criticism of the bill mounted online and one ruling party official told Reuters there was no point in pushing it through, given the growing backlash. Suga's support fell below 33 per cent in a recent poll by the Jiji news agency, reflecting frustration over his handling of the pandemic. Japan has long been reticent about immigration and asylum, despite an ageing population and shrinking workforce that economists say could be alleviated by accepting more immigrants. In 2019, just 0.4 per cent of asylum applications were successful in Japan, against 25.9 per cent in Germany and 29.6 per cent in the United States. Under the current system, some asylum seekers are granted provisional release from detention centres during their asylum process, meaning they can live relatively freely although they cannot work. Others are held in the centres, where they spend months or even years.

Japan withdraws immigration bill after death of Sri Lankan sparks criticism

A top medical organisation has thrown its weight behind calls to cancel the Tokyo&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;saying hospitals are already overwhelmed as the country battles a spike in coronavirus infections less than three months from the start of the Games.

The Tokyo Medical Practitioners Association representing about 6,000 primary care doctors said hospitals in the Games host city "have their hands full and have almost no spare capacity" amid a surge in infections.

"We strongly request that the authorities convince the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that holding the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;is difficult and obtain its decision to cancel the Games," the association said in a May 14 open letter to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga which was posted to its website on Monday.

A jump in infections has stoked alarm amid a shortage of medical staff and hospital beds in some areas of the Japanese capital, promoting the government to extend the third state of emergency in Tokyo and several other prefectures until May 31.

Doctors would soon face the added difficulty of dealing with heat exhaustion patients during the summer months and if the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;contributed to a rise in deaths "Japan will bear the maximum responsibility", it added.

Other health experts and medical groups have voiced their concerns https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/tokyo-olympics-must-be-reconsidered-due-japans-failure-contain-pandemic-report-2021-04-16 about the&nbsp;Olympics, while an online petition calling for the Games to be cancelled was signed by hundreds of thousands of people.

Overall, Japan has avoided an explosive spread of the virus experienced by other nations, but the government has come under sharp criticism&nbsp;for its sluggish vaccination roll-out.

Only about 3.5% of its population of about 126 million has been vaccinated, according to a Reuter's tracker.

Underscoring the challenges with the vaccinations, booking systems for mass inoculation sites being launched in Tokyo and Osaka - which started accepting bookings on Monday - were marred by technical glitches.

Still, Suga says Japan can host "a safe and secure&nbsp;Olympics" while following appropriate COVID-19 containment measures.

Preparations for the July 23-Aug. 8 Games are progressing under tight COVID-19 protocols, such as an athletics test event https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/tokyos-olympic-stadium-holds-track-field-test-event-minus-fans-2021-05-09 featuring 420 athletes in early May.

But multiple pre-Olympic training camps, including one for the United States' track and field team, have been cancelled, and athletes have voiced concerns about the Games taking place in the midst of a global pandemic.

Canadian equestrian athlete and gold medalist Eric Lamaze announced on Monday that he had pulled out of being an Olympic candidate, citing personal health concerns. He has been treated for a brain tumour over the past three years.

"My health is something that I take very seriously, and I've decided that Tokyo is not the best venue for me," Lamaze said in the statement.

"The&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;are a celebration of the athletes and I don't think we're going to have a true celebration in Tokyo," he added. "It's not the time to celebrate."

The Games have already been postponed once due to the pandemic.

With cases surging across much of Asia, the World Economic Forum on Monday cancelled its annual meeting of the global elite due to be held in Singapore in August.

Under the state of emergency in parts of Japan, bars, restaurants, karaoke parlours and other places serving alcohol will remain closed, although large commercial facilities can re-open under shorter hours. Hard-hit Tokyo and Osaka will continue to keep these larger facilities closed.

The number of COVID-19 cases nationwide dropped to 3,680 on Monday, the lowest level since April 26, according to public broadcaster NHK, but the number of heavy infections hit a record high of 1,235, the health ministry said on Tuesday.

A top medical organisation has thrown its weight behind calls to cancel the Tokyo Olympics saying hospitals are already overwhelmed as the country battles a spike in coronavirus infections less than three months from the start of the Games.

A top medical organisation has thrown its weight behind calls to cancel the Tokyo Olympics saying hospitals are already overwhelmed as the country battles a spike in coronavirus infections less than three months from the start of the Games. The Tokyo Medical Practitioners Association representing about 6,000 primary care doctors said hospitals in the Games host city "have their hands full and have almost no spare capacity" amid a surge in infections. "We strongly request that the authorities convince the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that holding the Olympics is difficult and obtain its decision to cancel the Games," the association said in a May 14 open letter to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga which was posted to its website on Monday. A jump in infections has stoked alarm amid a shortage of medical staff and hospital beds in some areas of the Japanese capital, promoting the government to extend the third state of emergency in Tokyo and several other prefectures until May 31. Doctors would soon face the added difficulty of dealing with heat exhaustion patients during the summer months and if the Olympics contributed to a rise in deaths "Japan will bear the maximum responsibility", it added. Other health experts and medical groups have voiced their concerns https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/tokyo-olympics-must-be-reconsidered-due-japans-failure-contain-pandemic-report-2021-04-16 about the Olympics, while an online petition calling for the Games to be cancelled was signed by hundreds of thousands of people. Overall, Japan has avoided an explosive spread of the virus experienced by other nations, but the government has come under sharp criticism for its sluggish vaccination roll-out. Only about 3.5% of its population of about 126 million has been vaccinated, according to a Reuter's tracker. Underscoring the challenges with the vaccinations, booking systems for mass inoculation sites being launched in Tokyo and Osaka - which started accepting bookings on Monday - were marred by technical glitches. Still, Suga says Japan can host "a safe and secure Olympics" while following appropriate COVID-19 containment measures. Preparations for the July 23-Aug. 8 Games are progressing under tight COVID-19 protocols, such as an athletics test event https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/tokyos-olympic-stadium-holds-track-field-test-event-minus-fans-2021-05-09 featuring 420 athletes in early May. But multiple pre-Olympic training camps, including one for the United States' track and field team, have been cancelled, and athletes have voiced concerns about the Games taking place in the midst of a global pandemic. Canadian equestrian athlete and gold medalist Eric Lamaze announced on Monday that he had pulled out of being an Olympic candidate, citing personal health concerns. He has been treated for a brain tumour over the past three years. "My health is something that I take very seriously, and I've decided that Tokyo is not the best venue for me," Lamaze said in the statement. "The Olympics are a celebration of the athletes and I don't think we're going to have a true celebration in Tokyo," he added. "It's not the time to celebrate." The Games have already been postponed once due to the pandemic. With cases surging across much of Asia, the World Economic Forum on Monday cancelled its annual meeting of the global elite due to be held in Singapore in August. Under the state of emergency in parts of Japan, bars, restaurants, karaoke parlours and other places serving alcohol will remain closed, although large commercial facilities can re-open under shorter hours. Hard-hit Tokyo and Osaka will continue to keep these larger facilities closed. The number of COVID-19 cases nationwide dropped to 3,680 on Monday, the lowest level since April 26, according to public broadcaster NHK, but the number of heavy infections hit a record high of 1,235, the health ministry said on Tuesday.

Tokyo doctors call for cancellation of Olympic Games due to COVID-19

A petition calling for the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics which garnered 350,000 signatures in nine days was submitted to organizers on Friday, reflecting growing public opposition to the event as the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections sweeps Japan.

"Stop Tokyo Olympics" campaign organizer Kenji Utsunomiya said the global festival of sport - already postponed from 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic - should take place only when Japan can welcome visitors and athletes wholeheartedly.

"We are not in that situation and therefore the Games should be canceled," he told a news conference. "Precious medical resources would need to be diverted to the Olympics if it's held."

The petition was submitted to the Olympic and Paralympic committee chiefs as well as Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike.

It came as Japan added three more areas to a state of emergency now covering Tokyo, Osaka, and four other prefectures amid surging case numbers, less than three months out from the scheduled July 23 start of the Games.

Asked about the anti-Games campaign, Tokyo Governor Koike said she would continue to work towards a "safe and secure" Olympics.

"Though there is a global pandemic, it is important to hold safe and secure Tokyo 2020 Games," she told a regular press conference.

The new areas under the state of emergency include Hokkaido prefecture where the Olympic marathon will take place after the prefecture reported a record high of 712 new coronavirus cases on Thursday.

Opposition to the Games has also come from doctors, while some high-profile Japanese athletes have expressed concern, including Masters golf champion Hideki Matsuyama and top women's&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;player Naomi Osaka.

Japanese business leader Masayoshi Son, chief of SoftBank Group Corp, added his voice to the chorus of trepidation on Thursday, saying in unusually blunt remarks that he was "afraid" of what might happen if the Games went ahead on schedule.

Dozens of towns that had been due to host visiting athletes at pre-Games events have canceled those plans, saying they could not guarantee medical help amid strains on the hospital system.

With the latest emergency measures, 19 out of Japan's 47 prefectures fall under restrictions that include closures of eateries by 8 p.m. and a ban on alcohol at bars and restaurants.

Nationwide, Japan has seen about 656,000 confirmed coronavirus cases so far, with 11,161 deaths.

A petition calling for the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics which garnered 350,000 signatures in nine days was submitted to organizers on Friday, reflecting growing public opposition to the event as the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections sweeps Japan.

A petition calling for the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics which garnered 350,000 signatures in nine days was submitted to organizers on Friday, reflecting growing public opposition to the event as the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections sweeps Japan. "Stop Tokyo Olympics" campaign organizer Kenji Utsunomiya said the global festival of sport - already postponed from 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic - should take place only when Japan can welcome visitors and athletes wholeheartedly. "We are not in that situation and therefore the Games should be canceled," he told a news conference. "Precious medical resources would need to be diverted to the Olympics if it's held." The petition was submitted to the Olympic and Paralympic committee chiefs as well as Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike. It came as Japan added three more areas to a state of emergency now covering Tokyo, Osaka, and four other prefectures amid surging case numbers, less than three months out from the scheduled July 23 start of the Games. Asked about the anti-Games campaign, Tokyo Governor Koike said she would continue to work towards a "safe and secure" Olympics. "Though there is a global pandemic, it is important to hold safe and secure Tokyo 2020 Games," she told a regular press conference. The new areas under the state of emergency include Hokkaido prefecture where the Olympic marathon will take place after the prefecture reported a record high of 712 new coronavirus cases on Thursday. Opposition to the Games has also come from doctors, while some high-profile Japanese athletes have expressed concern, including Masters golf champion Hideki Matsuyama and top women's tennis player Naomi Osaka. Japanese business leader Masayoshi Son, chief of SoftBank Group Corp, added his voice to the chorus of trepidation on Thursday, saying in unusually blunt remarks that he was "afraid" of what might happen if the Games went ahead on schedule. Dozens of towns that had been due to host visiting athletes at pre-Games events have canceled those plans, saying they could not guarantee medical help amid strains on the hospital system. With the latest emergency measures, 19 out of Japan's 47 prefectures fall under restrictions that include closures of eateries by 8 p.m. and a ban on alcohol at bars and restaurants. Nationwide, Japan has seen about 656,000 confirmed coronavirus cases so far, with 11,161 deaths.

A petition against Tokyo Olympics with 350,000 signatures submitted to organisers

Japanese opposition lawmakers slammed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday for what they called his 'Olympics first'&nbsp;attitude in prioritising the event even as COVID-19 cases continue to rise on the country.

Suga pushed back at the criticism during a question and answer session in the Japanese parliament, saying his role is to do his utmost to ensure the health and safety of all during the July 23-August 8&nbsp;games.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Amid opposition, Japan Prime Minister says has &quot;never put Olympics first&quot;">Amid opposition, Japan Prime Minister says has "never put Olympics first"</a>

Concerns are rising about the ability of Suga's government to get infections under control ahead of the Olympics, which start in just over two months.

Suga decided Friday to extend a state of emergency in Tokyo until May 31 and expand the measure to six prefectures from the current four.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="India Covid crisis: Japan, UNDP reach out to northeast states with oxygen ">India Covid crisis: Japan, UNDP reach out to northeast states with oxygen&nbsp;</a>

Japan logged about 7,000 new cases on Saturday, a highest since mid-January.

Suga added he arranged for Pfizer to donate its vaccine for athletes via the IOC, which would contribute to holding the games safely.

Public calls for a cancellation have been on the rise.

An online petition calling for the Olympics to be cancelled has gained more than 300,000 signatures in a week while a weekend survey by Japan's largest newspaper showed about 60% of the respondents calling for a cancellation.

IOC President Thomas Bach cancelled his planned trip to Japan next week because of surging cases of COVID-19 in the country, the Tokyo Olympic organising committee said on Monday in a statement.

Bach was to visit Hiroshima next Monday and meet the torch relay and then probably travel to Tokyo.&nbsp;

Japanese opposition lawmakers slammed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday for what they called his 'Olympics first' attitude in prioritising the event even as COVID-19 cases continue to rise on the country.

Japanese opposition lawmakers slammed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday for what they called his 'Olympics first' attitude in prioritising the event even as COVID-19 cases continue to rise on the country. Suga pushed back at the criticism during a question and answer session in the Japanese parliament, saying his role is to do his utmost to ensure the health and safety of all during the July 23-August 8 games. Also read | Amid opposition, Japan Prime Minister says has "never put Olympics first" Concerns are rising about the ability of Suga's government to get infections under control ahead of the Olympics, which start in just over two months. Suga decided Friday to extend a state of emergency in Tokyo until May 31 and expand the measure to six prefectures from the current four. Also read | India Covid crisis: Japan, UNDP reach out to northeast states with oxygen Japan logged about 7,000 new cases on Saturday, a highest since mid-January. Suga added he arranged for Pfizer to donate its vaccine for athletes via the IOC, which would contribute to holding the games safely. Public calls for a cancellation have been on the rise. An online petition calling for the Olympics to be cancelled has gained more than 300,000 signatures in a week while a weekend survey by Japan's largest newspaper showed about 60% of the respondents calling for a cancellation. IOC President Thomas Bach cancelled his planned trip to Japan next week because of surging cases of COVID-19 in the country, the Tokyo Olympic organising committee said on Monday in a statement. Bach was to visit Hiroshima next Monday and meet the torch relay and then probably travel to Tokyo.

Japanese PM slammed by lawmakers for prioritising Olympics amid pandemic

Japan is gearing up for the Olympics. But with new infections still rising, a campaign to cancel the Tokyo Olympics is gaining pace. Is the Olympics heading towards a record 7th cancellation? Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Will the Olympics be cancelled again?

No cheering or singing, no handshakes, no hugs or high fives, this is what the Tokyo Olympics 2021 will look like amid COVID-19 pandemic. The test run has begun in Japan with the rhythmic gymnasts all masked up. WION tells you more in this report.

Japanese gymnasts hold dry run before Tokyo Olympics

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe insisted on Sunday, May 9&nbsp;that this summer's Tokyo&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;could be held in a safe environment.

Opinion surveys have shown that most Japanese oppose holding the Games this summer due to worries about the pandemic.

Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo on Sunday (May 10), Coe sought to reassure people that the measures taken by the organizing bodies mean that the Games can go ahead safely.

"We are very empathetic to the need to be fully recognizing that communities around the world are inevitably nervous about many things related to COVID," he said.

"Look, we are all family people, we have children, we have grandchildren, we have elderly and sometimes vulnerable relatives, so I understand this, I completely understand this.

"What I would say though, as president of World Athletics as respectfully as I can, is that we take those concerns very, very seriously. The COVID protocols, particularly that World Athletics have developed over the last year and a half by our health and science teams who are extremely good at this, have consistently helped deliver events in a safe and secure environment."

Coe pointed to the last weekend's world relay championships in Poland as an example of how the measures are working, with no positive COVID tests reported from over 700 athletes taking part.

Coe was speaking on a day when hundreds of athletes, including U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin, participated in a test event at the Olympic Stadium, as organizers fine-tuned operations and practiced COVID-19 countermeasures with under three months to go before the Tokyo Games begin.

No spectators were present in the stadium, where the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;opening and closing ceremonies will be held, as Tokyo remains under a state of emergency to tame a rise in coronavirus infections.

Despite the state of emergency, organizers have operated more than eleven test events since last month with no reported coronavirus cases resulting.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe insisted on Sunday, May 9 that this summer's Tokyo Olympics could be held in a safe environment. Opinion surveys have shown that most Japanese oppose holding the Games this summer due to worries about the pandemic.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe insisted on Sunday, May 9 that this summer's Tokyo Olympics could be held in a safe environment. Opinion surveys have shown that most Japanese oppose holding the Games this summer due to worries about the pandemic. Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo on Sunday (May 10), Coe sought to reassure people that the measures taken by the organizing bodies mean that the Games can go ahead safely. "We are very empathetic to the need to be fully recognizing that communities around the world are inevitably nervous about many things related to COVID," he said. "Look, we are all family people, we have children, we have grandchildren, we have elderly and sometimes vulnerable relatives, so I understand this, I completely understand this. "What I would say though, as president of World Athletics as respectfully as I can, is that we take those concerns very, very seriously. The COVID protocols, particularly that World Athletics have developed over the last year and a half by our health and science teams who are extremely good at this, have consistently helped deliver events in a safe and secure environment." Coe pointed to the last weekend's world relay championships in Poland as an example of how the measures are working, with no positive COVID tests reported from over 700 athletes taking part. Coe was speaking on a day when hundreds of athletes, including U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin, participated in a test event at the Olympic Stadium, as organizers fine-tuned operations and practiced COVID-19 countermeasures with under three months to go before the Tokyo Games begin. No spectators were present in the stadium, where the Olympics opening and closing ceremonies will be held, as Tokyo remains under a state of emergency to tame a rise in coronavirus infections. Despite the state of emergency, organizers have operated more than eleven test events since last month with no reported coronavirus cases resulting.

Sebastian Coe says, athletics' governing body takes Olympic health concerns 'very, very seriously'

International Olympic Committee head Thomas Bach's planned visit to Japan has been cancelled as the Asian country extended its state of emergency in Tokyo, broadcaster NHK said on Friday citing unnamed sources.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/organisers-hail-diving-world-cup-after-anti-covid-measures-383497" hreflang="en">Organisers hail diving World Cup after anti-COVID measures</a>

Seiko Hashimoto, Tokyo 2020 chief, on Friday said that Bach's visit to the country was "difficult" amidst a "severe" situation with coronavirus cases showing no signs of abating and the government keeping infection countermeasures in place to slow the spread of the virus.

"I suspect that coming to Japan in the midst of this very severe situation would also be an emotional burden for President Bach," she said at a news conference held on Friday.

According to Japanese media reports, Bach would attend a torch relay ceremony in the western city of Hiroshima on May 17. However, Hashimoto is yet to confirm this visit.&nbsp;

Tokyo 2020 organisers will keep a close eye on the coronavirus situation and make a decision on Olympic spectators in June based on that, Hashimoto also said.

On Friday, Japan extended a state of emergency in Tokyo and four other areas until the end of May, meaning the measures would end less than two months before the Olympics start on July 23 after being postponed for a year due to the pandemic.

(Inputs from Reuters)

International Olympic Committee head Thomas Bach's planned visit to Japan has been cancelled as the Asian country extended its state of emergency in Tokyo, broadcaster NHK said on Friday citing unnamed sources.

International Olympic Committee head Thomas Bach's planned visit to Japan has been cancelled as the Asian country extended its state of emergency in Tokyo, broadcaster NHK said on Friday citing unnamed sources. ALSO READ: Organisers hail diving World Cup after anti-COVID measures Seiko Hashimoto, Tokyo 2020 chief, on Friday said that Bach's visit to the country was "difficult" amidst a "severe" situation with coronavirus cases showing no signs of abating and the government keeping infection countermeasures in place to slow the spread of the virus. "I suspect that coming to Japan in the midst of this very severe situation would also be an emotional burden for President Bach," she said at a news conference held on Friday. According to Japanese media reports, Bach would attend a torch relay ceremony in the western city of Hiroshima on May 17. However, Hashimoto is yet to confirm this visit. Tokyo 2020 organisers will keep a close eye on the coronavirus situation and make a decision on Olympic spectators in June based on that, Hashimoto also said. On Friday, Japan extended a state of emergency in Tokyo and four other areas until the end of May, meaning the measures would end less than two months before the Olympics start on July 23 after being postponed for a year due to the pandemic. (Inputs from Reuters)

IOC President Bach's visit to Japan to be cancelled due to state of emergency: Reports

Organisers of the diving World Cup in Tokyo hailed on Friday the "successful" staging of the event after implementing strict COVID-19 countermeasures for more than 400 participants. 
 
In what was seen as a dress rehearsal for bringing in international athletes for the Olympics during the pandemic, the diving World Cup, held May 1-6 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, doubled as a test event for the upcoming Summer Games. 
 
It and a volleyball test event between Japan and China, held May 1-2, marked the first time overseas athletes participated in test events since they were restarted last month. 
 
"During the six-days of competition for this World Cup (attended by 224 athletes from 46 nations), strict COVID-19 countermeasures were put in place in order to ensure the health and protection of all those taking part in the event," the Tokyo 2020 organising committee and International Swimming Federation, FINA, said in a joint statement. 
 
"All participants fully complied with the measures in place and FINA and Tokyo 2020 really appreciated their efforts," the statement said. 
 
As previously announced, only one positive COVID-19 case was found, in a team official upon arrival in Japan. The person was immediately quarantined and no close contacts were identified by Japanese authorities, the statement said. 
 
Overall there were 438 participants, including athletes, coaches and team officials, it said. 
 
A marathon test event held in the northern city of Sapporo on Wednesday included six runners from overseas. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said Tokyo organisers had delivered both on an operational level and in their COVID-19 precautions. 
 
An athletics test event scheduled for Sunday is also expected to have international athletes participating. 
&nbsp;

Organisers of the diving World Cup in Tokyo hailed on Friday the "successful" staging of the event after implementing strict COVID-19 countermeasures for more than 400 participants.

Organisers of the diving World Cup in Tokyo hailed on Friday the "successful" staging of the event after implementing strict COVID-19 countermeasures for more than 400 participants. In what was seen as a dress rehearsal for bringing in international athletes for the Olympics during the pandemic, the diving World Cup, held May 1-6 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, doubled as a test event for the upcoming Summer Games. It and a volleyball test event between Japan and China, held May 1-2, marked the first time overseas athletes participated in test events since they were restarted last month. "During the six-days of competition for this World Cup (attended by 224 athletes from 46 nations), strict COVID-19 countermeasures were put in place in order to ensure the health and protection of all those taking part in the event," the Tokyo 2020 organising committee and International Swimming Federation, FINA, said in a joint statement. "All participants fully complied with the measures in place and FINA and Tokyo 2020 really appreciated their efforts," the statement said. As previously announced, only one positive COVID-19 case was found, in a team official upon arrival in Japan. The person was immediately quarantined and no close contacts were identified by Japanese authorities, the statement said. Overall there were 438 participants, including athletes, coaches and team officials, it said. A marathon test event held in the northern city of Sapporo on Wednesday included six runners from overseas. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said Tokyo organisers had delivered both on an operational level and in their COVID-19 precautions. An athletics test event scheduled for Sunday is also expected to have international athletes participating.

Organisers hail diving World Cup after anti-COVID measures

Japan’s government is set to extend a state of emergency in Tokyo and three other areas until the end of May to curb a surge in COVID-19 cases just months before the start of the Tokyo Olympics.

Japan government to extend COVID-19 curbs till May end

Pom poms rustled and silver shoes flashed as members of "Japan Pom Pom" moved to a lively cheer dance beat. At first glance, it looked like a regular practice session. Yet, there's something unique about this cheer squad - the youngest is 60 years old and the oldest - 89.

Age is just a number for Japan's silver cheer dancing squad

Diving and volleyball on Saturday became the first Olympic test events to include international athletes since such competitions resumed last month, as both began under close supervision in Tokyo.

The diving World Cup, also a qualifier for this summer's Games, features more than 200 athletes from 50 countries including powerhouse China.

"We're not allowed out of our rooms, where you have to stay... - no outdoor air, no human interaction," said U.S. women's diver Sarah Bacon. "But we've been making it work."

With around 15,000 Olympians and Paralympians expected to compete, organisers are grappling with how to hold the Games safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Japanese authorities are determined to protect not only Games participants, but a local population that opinion surveys have shown is largely opposed to the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;due to the virus.

Japan is battling the fourth wave of infections, and the government has declared states of emergency in Tokyo and other areas.

During a warm-up before Saturday's men's preliminary event, the announcer scolded divers for gathering too closely, thus violating social distancing regulations, around the 3-meter springboard.

The event was also punctuated in the morning by an earthquake that shook the cavernous Tokyo Aquatics Centre, a reminder that the Games are taking place in one of the world's most tectonically active regions.

Divers expressed gratitude for the chance to compete but also frustrations that precautions against contagion denied them the chance to experience the city or get fresh air.

HEALTH INFORMATION

Participants are undergoing COVID-19 testing every morning and have to maintain health information on smartphone apps. Additionally, they are kept in a "bubble", restricting movements between the hotel and venue.

"It would have been nice if they could have rented a bus for the team to do some sightseeing around the city," Patrick Hausding, a silver and bronze medal winner for Germany in two previous&nbsp;Olympics, told reporters from behind a glass window.

"To be in Tokyo and not be able to see anything is a real shame."

The diving event, originally scheduled for April, was in danger of being cancelled amid reports the International Swimming Federation (FINA) was dissatisfied with the COVID-19 countermeasures.&nbsp;

FINA and Tokyo organisers agreed to reschedule it for May 1-6 but the global swim body cancelled an artistic swimming qualifier that was scheduled to be held in Tokyo and moved a marathon swimming qualifier from Fukuoka in southern Japan to Portugal.

Australia decided to withdraw from diving due to worries about rising coronavirus cases in Japan.&nbsp;

Saturday's volleyball at Ariake Arena involved a friendly between the Japanese and Chinese men's teams followed by the women.

Guo Cheng, captain of the Chinese men's team, said he appreciated the chance to compete and that organisers had done a good job making it happen.

"After we arrived in Japan our food and accommodations were well taken care of and I really felt secure playing in the match," he told reporters after his team lost in five sets to Japan.

The Tokyo&nbsp;Olympics, delayed by a year because of the pandemic, are scheduled to open on July 23.

&nbsp;

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Diving and volleyball on Saturday became the first Olympic test events to include international athletes since such competitions resumed last month, as both began under close supervision in Tokyo.

Diving and volleyball on Saturday became the first Olympic test events to include international athletes since such competitions resumed last month, as both began under close supervision in Tokyo. The diving World Cup, also a qualifier for this summer's Games, features more than 200 athletes from 50 countries including powerhouse China. "We're not allowed out of our rooms, where you have to stay... - no outdoor air, no human interaction," said U.S. women's diver Sarah Bacon. "But we've been making it work." With around 15,000 Olympians and Paralympians expected to compete, organisers are grappling with how to hold the Games safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Japanese authorities are determined to protect not only Games participants, but a local population that opinion surveys have shown is largely opposed to the Olympics due to the virus. Japan is battling the fourth wave of infections, and the government has declared states of emergency in Tokyo and other areas. During a warm-up before Saturday's men's preliminary event, the announcer scolded divers for gathering too closely, thus violating social distancing regulations, around the 3-meter springboard. The event was also punctuated in the morning by an earthquake that shook the cavernous Tokyo Aquatics Centre, a reminder that the Games are taking place in one of the world's most tectonically active regions. Divers expressed gratitude for the chance to compete but also frustrations that precautions against contagion denied them the chance to experience the city or get fresh air. HEALTH INFORMATION Participants are undergoing COVID-19 testing every morning and have to maintain health information on smartphone apps. Additionally, they are kept in a "bubble", restricting movements between the hotel and venue. "It would have been nice if they could have rented a bus for the team to do some sightseeing around the city," Patrick Hausding, a silver and bronze medal winner for Germany in two previous Olympics, told reporters from behind a glass window. "To be in Tokyo and not be able to see anything is a real shame." The diving event, originally scheduled for April, was in danger of being cancelled amid reports the International Swimming Federation (FINA) was dissatisfied with the COVID-19 countermeasures. FINA and Tokyo organisers agreed to reschedule it for May 1-6 but the global swim body cancelled an artistic swimming qualifier that was scheduled to be held in Tokyo and moved a marathon swimming qualifier from Fukuoka in southern Japan to Portugal. Australia decided to withdraw from diving due to worries about rising coronavirus cases in Japan. Saturday's volleyball at Ariake Arena involved a friendly between the Japanese and Chinese men's teams followed by the women. Guo Cheng, captain of the Chinese men's team, said he appreciated the chance to compete and that organisers had done a good job making it happen. "After we arrived in Japan our food and accommodations were well taken care of and I really felt secure playing in the match," he told reporters after his team lost in five sets to Japan. The Tokyo Olympics, delayed by a year because of the pandemic, are scheduled to open on July 23.

Tokyo welcomes foreign divers to test event, under close supervision

Get ready to get lost in Tokyo, an elaborate miniature version of it, at least. Urban landscape developer Mori Building Company updated its 1:1000 scale 3D model of Tokyo on Tuesday (April 26) as the city goes through redevelopments for better accessibility and for disaster resistance.

3D projection mapping brings sprawling Tokyo to life

Several Japanese towns and cities have decided to pull out from hosting teams for Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19 spread. The western town of Okuizumo that spent $5 million on preparations to welcome Indian hockey team has now scrapped the visit.

Tokyo Olympics: Several Japanese towns & cities pull out from hosting teams

Japan declared "short and powerful" states of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka and two other prefectures as the country struggles to contain a resurgent coronavirus pandemic three months before the Olympics.

Japan announces COVID emergency in Tokyo

Japan's auto industry group said on Thursday that this year's Tokyo Motor Show has been cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. The motor show is being cancelled for the first time in its history.

The biennial car show -- one of Japan's biggest industrial events -- had been scheduled for the autumn, after the Tokyo Olympics take place this summer.

The last Tokyo Motor Show in 2019 drew around 1.3 million people, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).

This year's event was cancelled because ""it is difficult to offer our main programme in a safe and secure environment", said JAMA chairman Akio Toyoda, also head of Toyota.

A surge in Covid-19 cases driven by more infectious variants is being witnessed. It is expected that a state of emergency will be imposed in major cities.

The pandemic is also playing havoc with the postponed 2020 Olympics, which are set to begin on July 23.

Sections of the public torch relay have been scrapped and several test events and qualifiers cancelled or postponed.

(With inputs from agencies)

Japan's auto industry group said on Thursday that this year's Tokyo Motor Show has been cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. The motor show is being cancelled for the first time in its history.

Japan's auto industry group said on Thursday that this year's Tokyo Motor Show has been cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. The motor show is being cancelled for the first time in its history. The biennial car show -- one of Japan's biggest industrial events -- had been scheduled for the autumn, after the Tokyo Olympics take place this summer. The last Tokyo Motor Show in 2019 drew around 1.3 million people, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). This year's event was cancelled because ""it is difficult to offer our main programme in a safe and secure environment", said JAMA chairman Akio Toyoda, also head of Toyota. A surge in Covid-19 cases driven by more infectious variants is being witnessed. It is expected that a state of emergency will be imposed in major cities. The pandemic is also playing havoc with the postponed 2020 Olympics, which are set to begin on July 23. Sections of the public torch relay have been scrapped and several test events and qualifiers cancelled or postponed. (With inputs from agencies)

Tokyo Motor Show cancelled because of coronavirus pandemic

Japan&nbsp;aims to&nbsp;cut&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;46 percent by&nbsp;2030, significantly more than previously pledged, the country's prime minister announced Thursday ahead of a key US-hosted climate summit.

"We aim to&nbsp;cut&nbsp;greenhouse gas (emissions) by 46 percent in fiscal&nbsp;2030&nbsp;from fiscal 2013," Yoshihide Suga told a meeting hours before the discussions called by US President Joe Biden begin.

Japan's fiscal&nbsp;2030&nbsp;will begin in April of the calendar year.

The new&nbsp;target&nbsp;revises a previous goal of cutting&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;26 per cent from 2013 levels by&nbsp;2030.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="Japan adopts strike-first policy to counter Chinese aggression ">Japan adopts strike-first policy to counter Chinese aggression&nbsp;</a>

Japan&nbsp;is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, in part because many of its nuclear reactors remain offline after the Fukushima meltdown a decade ago.

Suga last year set a 2050 deadline for&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;to become carbon-neutral, putting it on the same timeline as the European Union and ahead of China's 2060 goal.

Environmentalists have urged nations to take more immediate action ahead of the two-day virtual Earth Day summit organised by Biden.

Suga is one of 40 leaders attending the talks that kick off later Thursday, heralding a US return to the climate front lines after Donald Trump's term.

Several other countries have also announced revised targets for slashing&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;and more pledges are expected at the meeting.

Speaking before Suga's announcement, Ken Tanaka from conservation group WWF&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;said a reduction&nbsp;target&nbsp;of 45 percent was an "absolute minimum".

"Now it has set a 2050 net-zero goal in October, it is important for&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;to have an ambitious interim&nbsp;target" to achieve its long-term aim, he told.

Climate activists want to see&nbsp;Japan, which was the sixth-biggest contributor to global greenhouse&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;in 2017, reduce its reliance on coal.

"They are discussing the next energy-mix plan, and in the discussion there are still coal-fired plants remaining for the next decade," Tanaka said.

"The clear decision to phase out coal-fired plans is a critical thing for&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;to pursue."

Yuri Okubo, senior researcher at the Renewable Energy Institute, said more was still needed but the commitment was nonetheless "an important step for&nbsp;Japan" and could help build momentum for a move away from coal.

Japan aims to cut emissions 46 percent by 2030, significantly more than previously pledged, the country's prime minister announced Thursday ahead of a key US-hosted climate summit.

Japan aims to cut emissions 46 percent by 2030, significantly more than previously pledged, the country's prime minister announced Thursday ahead of a key US-hosted climate summit. "We aim to cut greenhouse gas (emissions) by 46 percent in fiscal 2030 from fiscal 2013," Yoshihide Suga told a meeting hours before the discussions called by US President Joe Biden begin. Japan's fiscal 2030 will begin in April of the calendar year. The new target revises a previous goal of cutting emissions 26 per cent from 2013 levels by 2030. Also Read | Japan adopts strike-first policy to counter Chinese aggression Japan is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, in part because many of its nuclear reactors remain offline after the Fukushima meltdown a decade ago. Suga last year set a 2050 deadline for Japan to become carbon-neutral, putting it on the same timeline as the European Union and ahead of China's 2060 goal. Environmentalists have urged nations to take more immediate action ahead of the two-day virtual Earth Day summit organised by Biden. Suga is one of 40 leaders attending the talks that kick off later Thursday, heralding a US return to the climate front lines after Donald Trump's term. Several other countries have also announced revised targets for slashing emissions and more pledges are expected at the meeting. Speaking before Suga's announcement, Ken Tanaka from conservation group WWF Japan said a reduction target of 45 percent was an "absolute minimum". "Now it has set a 2050 net-zero goal in October, it is important for Japan to have an ambitious interim target" to achieve its long-term aim, he told. Climate activists want to see Japan, which was the sixth-biggest contributor to global greenhouse emissions in 2017, reduce its reliance on coal. "They are discussing the next energy-mix plan, and in the discussion there are still coal-fired plants remaining for the next decade," Tanaka said. "The clear decision to phase out coal-fired plans is a critical thing for Japan to pursue." Yuri Okubo, senior researcher at the Renewable Energy Institute, said more was still needed but the commitment was nonetheless "an important step for Japan" and could help build momentum for a move away from coal.

Japan strengthens 2030 emissions cut target

UN Women, a United Nations entity for gender equality and women`s empowerment, on Friday said that the 2021 Tokyo Olympics will have close to equal representation of women and men competing for the first time in its history. 
 
The Tokyo Games, which are three months away, will see the percentage of women competing&nbsp;touch 48.8 per cent for the first time in the history of modern Olympics. They will compete in 46 disciplines - one more than men - in the quadrennial event. 
 
"For comparison, only 22 women (2.2 per cent) out of 997 athletes competed in the modern @Olympics for the first time in 1900. The Tokyo2020 Olympics will have close to equal representation of women and men competing for the first time in its history," tweeted the global organisation. 
 
They also posted a GIF, tracing the history of the growth of women athletes - and disciplines - over a period of 124 years of the Olympic movement. 
 
For the record, the first modern Olympics, hosted by Athens in 1896, had 280 male participants from 13 nations. 
 
The Games truly became global in 1924 Paris when 3,089 athletes competed, of which 135 were women. 
 
According to UN Women, the 1900 Paris Olympics had 2.2 per cent participation by women; it came down to 0.9 per cent in 1904 and by the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, the percentage had risen to nine. 
 
By the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, the percentage of women had gone up to 26, and of the 8,400-odd athletes, about 2,200 were women. 
 
Discipline-wise too, while only four were designated for women, compared to men`s 21 in 1904, it had risen to 40 in 2008 Beijing as compared to men, who competed in 41 events. 
 
Women competed in more disciplines at the 2016 Rio Olympics -- 41 as compared to men in 40 disciplines - with their percentage standing at 45. 
 
The Tokyo Olympics will see nearly half of the athletes -- 48.8 per cent - being women competing in 46 disciplines as compared to men who will take part in 45.

UN Women, a United Nations entity for gender equality and women`s empowerment, on Friday said that the 2021 Tokyo Olympics will have close to equal representation of women and men competing for the first time in its history.

UN Women, a United Nations entity for gender equality and women`s empowerment, on Friday said that the 2021 Tokyo Olympics will have close to equal representation of women and men competing for the first time in its history. The Tokyo Games, which are three months away, will see the percentage of women competing touch 48.8 per cent for the first time in the history of modern Olympics. They will compete in 46 disciplines - one more than men - in the quadrennial event. "For comparison, only 22 women (2.2 per cent) out of 997 athletes competed in the modern @Olympics for the first time in 1900. The Tokyo2020 Olympics will have close to equal representation of women and men competing for the first time in its history," tweeted the global organisation. They also posted a GIF, tracing the history of the growth of women athletes - and disciplines - over a period of 124 years of the Olympic movement. For the record, the first modern Olympics, hosted by Athens in 1896, had 280 male participants from 13 nations. The Games truly became global in 1924 Paris when 3,089 athletes competed, of which 135 were women. According to UN Women, the 1900 Paris Olympics had 2.2 per cent participation by women; it came down to 0.9 per cent in 1904 and by the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, the percentage had risen to nine. By the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, the percentage of women had gone up to 26, and of the 8,400-odd athletes, about 2,200 were women. Discipline-wise too, while only four were designated for women, compared to men`s 21 in 1904, it had risen to 40 in 2008 Beijing as compared to men, who competed in 41 events. Women competed in more disciplines at the 2016 Rio Olympics -- 41 as compared to men in 40 disciplines - with their percentage standing at 45. The Tokyo Olympics will see nearly half of the athletes -- 48.8 per cent - being women competing in 46 disciplines as compared to men who will take part in 45.

Women to set new benchmarks at Tokyo Olympics

A top member of Japanese ruling party official Toshihiro Nikai admitted that cancelling this year's Olympic Games remains an option due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Japanese officials says Tokyo Olympic could still be cancelled due to COVID-19

Japan will release treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. Tokyo says the water will be filtered and diluted to safe levels first. But Japan's citizens and neighbours are opposing the plan. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why.

Gravitas: Japan to release treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean

The French Olympic committee (CNOSF) is confident that all French athletes can be vaccinated against COVID-19 before this year`s Tokyo Olympics, its president said on Wednesday. 
 
"The time has come that we allow the athletes who go to Tokyo to be vaccinated in a timely manner," Denis Masseglia told Reuters at an event marking 100 days to go until the Games. 
 
"The end of April, beginning of May would be the right time. I am optimistic that the athletes will be vaccinated." 
 
France is however not expecting to open vaccination to under-50s before mid-June. 
 
Masseglia explained that the athletes should "pass" ahead of others, only once vaccination is open to the whole population. 
 
France have so far administered just over 11 million shots, hoping to reach the 30-million mark by mid-June. 
 
"We`re almost about to open vaccination to everyone. There is no reason that the athletes going to Tokyo, maybe 500-600, cannot be vaccinated (in due time)," said Masseglia. 
 
A delegation of up to 1,000 people will travel to Tokyo, where the Games will be held from July 23-Aug. 8. 
 
The CNOSF said it encourages athletes to get vaccinated, although they have not made it mandatory. 
 
On Wednesday, Poland Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the country would vaccinate its Olympic athletes and national soccer team against COVID-19. 
 
Prioritising athletes for vaccination has proved controversial in some countries, especially those that have experienced problems with their vaccination programmes. 
 
"We know that it is very important that in the next month, month and a half, a decision can be made regarding the athletes and that a vaccination plan can be implemented," said French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu, who will discuss the topic with Health ministry officials and the CNOSF on Friday. 
 
"The athletes must be able to arrive in good health and in full confidence with regard to COVID-19. It is very difficult to test positive before an event. The more we can prevent this from happening, the better. 
 
"We are working on it. I hope they can be vaccinated."

The French Olympic committee (CNOSF) is confident that all French athletes can be vaccinated against COVID-19 before this year`s Tokyo Olympics, its president said on Wednesday.

The French Olympic committee (CNOSF) is confident that all French athletes can be vaccinated against COVID-19 before this year`s Tokyo Olympics, its president said on Wednesday. "The time has come that we allow the athletes who go to Tokyo to be vaccinated in a timely manner," Denis Masseglia told Reuters at an event marking 100 days to go until the Games. "The end of April, beginning of May would be the right time. I am optimistic that the athletes will be vaccinated." France is however not expecting to open vaccination to under-50s before mid-June. Masseglia explained that the athletes should "pass" ahead of others, only once vaccination is open to the whole population. France have so far administered just over 11 million shots, hoping to reach the 30-million mark by mid-June. "We`re almost about to open vaccination to everyone. There is no reason that the athletes going to Tokyo, maybe 500-600, cannot be vaccinated (in due time)," said Masseglia. A delegation of up to 1,000 people will travel to Tokyo, where the Games will be held from July 23-Aug. 8. The CNOSF said it encourages athletes to get vaccinated, although they have not made it mandatory. On Wednesday, Poland Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the country would vaccinate its Olympic athletes and national soccer team against COVID-19. Prioritising athletes for vaccination has proved controversial in some countries, especially those that have experienced problems with their vaccination programmes. "We know that it is very important that in the next month, month and a half, a decision can be made regarding the athletes and that a vaccination plan can be implemented," said French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu, who will discuss the topic with Health ministry officials and the CNOSF on Friday. "The athletes must be able to arrive in good health and in full confidence with regard to COVID-19. It is very difficult to test positive before an event. The more we can prevent this from happening, the better. "We are working on it. I hope they can be vaccinated."

French Committee confident French athletes will be vaccinated for Tokyo

Tokyo Olympics are nearly 100 days away and according to a poll more than 70% of people in Japan want the games to be canceled or delayed as the Coronavirus pandemic rolls on.

Poll: 70% of Japanese want the Tokyo Olympics to be delayed or cancelled

Nearly 100 days before Tokyo Olympics, Japan is all set to approve strict restrictions in the capital city to combat a surge in Coronavirus infections. The restrictions are expected to be announced on Friday (April 9) and will be in place till the May 11.

Japan to announce strict restrictions in Tokyo to combat surge in Coronavirus

The world has spent last 12 months developing a vaccine for the Wuhan virus. The dilemma now is to pick who gets these life-saving jabs first.

We may think that the answer to this question is simple and that the essential workers should get the priority. The elderly should follow next. And then the rest.

But who is an essential worker? For Japan the upcoming Olympics are essential. The Olympics has been shelved once. A repeat would mean losses worth billions

It is not surprising that Japan is planning to vaccinate Olympic athletes first. Athletes have become essential workers.

The not-so-essential Japanese began protesting online.

'Why not the elderly first?'

One of the comments on social media in response to this news of athletes potentially being prioritised was- is it the Olympics over life now?

No, says the govt of Japan denying reports of priortisation of athletes. Say Japan does indeed vaccinate the elderly first. How would that be fair on someone who is 20 and fighting cancer?

In the CDC vaccine rollout recommendation, people above 16 and with co-morbidity only feature in the 3rd step of the inoculation programme.

While this template is for American states, something very similar is being followed the world over.

As a result, youngsters with life-threatening illnesses are being denied vaccines.

Is this fair?

'Vacina ja' is Portuguese for vaccine now. The national museum of Brazil is beaming the country's demand. On the 6th of April, Brazil recorded 4,195 daily deaths. The worst on record.

But only health workers, people above 75, residents of old age homes and Brazil's indigenous population are currently eligible for vaccination.

The new wave has shown this order of prioritisation does not work. When the virus does not discriminate, why should vaccines?

Be it on the basis of age, or profession. It is critical that health workers are safe It is also essential that our children return to school. Workers return to factories, and farmers to their farms.

Brazil's protest against President Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic has touched a tipping point. Bolsonaro has asked the military if they have troops to quell possible unrest, is it only a matter of time before the frustration breaches borders? How long will the world silently wait for life-saving vaccines?

How long will people with threatening illnesses put up with this injustice?&nbsp;

It's not easy to decide who gets priority.

The answer becomes all the more difficult when you account for the fact that it may be weeks or even months before the next batch of vaccines reaches some of the countries.

The world has spent last 12 months developing a vaccine for the Wuhan virus. The dilemma now is to pick who gets these life-saving jabs first. We may think that the answer to this question is simple and that the essential workers should get the priority.

The world has spent last 12 months developing a vaccine for the Wuhan virus. The dilemma now is to pick who gets these life-saving jabs first. We may think that the answer to this question is simple and that the essential workers should get the priority. The elderly should follow next. And then the rest. But who is an essential worker? For Japan the upcoming Olympics are essential. The Olympics has been shelved once. A repeat would mean losses worth billions It is not surprising that Japan is planning to vaccinate Olympic athletes first. Athletes have become essential workers. The not-so-essential Japanese began protesting online. 'Why not the elderly first?' One of the comments on social media in response to this news of athletes potentially being prioritised was- is it the Olympics over life now? No, says the govt of Japan denying reports of priortisation of athletes. Say Japan does indeed vaccinate the elderly first. How would that be fair on someone who is 20 and fighting cancer? In the CDC vaccine rollout recommendation, people above 16 and with co-morbidity only feature in the 3rd step of the inoculation programme. While this template is for American states, something very similar is being followed the world over. As a result, youngsters with life-threatening illnesses are being denied vaccines. Is this fair? 'Vacina ja' is Portuguese for vaccine now. The national museum of Brazil is beaming the country's demand. On the 6th of April, Brazil recorded 4,195 daily deaths. The worst on record. But only health workers, people above 75, residents of old age homes and Brazil's indigenous population are currently eligible for vaccination. The new wave has shown this order of prioritisation does not work. When the virus does not discriminate, why should vaccines? Be it on the basis of age, or profession. It is critical that health workers are safe It is also essential that our children return to school. Workers return to factories, and farmers to their farms. Brazil's protest against President Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic has touched a tipping point. Bolsonaro has asked the military if they have troops to quell possible unrest, is it only a matter of time before the frustration breaches borders? How long will the world silently wait for life-saving vaccines? How long will people with threatening illnesses put up with this injustice? It's not easy to decide who gets priority. The answer becomes all the more difficult when you account for the fact that it may be weeks or even months before the next batch of vaccines reaches some of the countries.

Tokyo Olympics: The dilemma of the 'essential worker'

The ruling could not have been more clear.

One of soccer’s six regional bodies had engaged in discriminatory behavior against a female official by hindering her chances of getting a seat on its board and a leadership position with the sport’s global governing body, FIFA.

The official, Mariyam Mohamed, also convinced judges at sports’ top court that an influential Kuwaiti sheikh had actively interfered in elections held by the Asian Football Confederation in 2019 to achieve his desired outcome.

The full ruling, which has not been published, was obtained by The New York Times. In it, a panel at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland concluded that the inaction by Asian soccer officials over several months amounted to a “denial of justice” for Mohamed. Yet two months since the decision was announced, the effect of what appears to be a powerful denunciation of ethics breaches and a disregard for women’s rights has had all the effect of a snowball hitting a tank.

Nothing has happened.

The tainted elections will not be rerun. The men who offered Mohamed inducements to drop out have not been punished. And soccer’s leaders have taken no action.

FIFA said in an email it had no comment, even though it previously insisted it would follow up on the court’s findings with soccer officials in Asia. Asian soccer’s governing body also declined to comment, saying its leaders had nothing to add to a January statement in which they had pledged the organization would review the findings.

For Mohamed, the silence has been maddening.

“It’s just a game for them, justice denial, the same process that I was in,” she said in a phone interview. “They’re waiting for time to pass by, and hoping I get fed up. Now the verdict has come, and it’s just very sad. I don’t know where else to go now.”

Mohamed, who filed her complaints to the Asian federation’s disciplinary department in May 2019, says she initially celebrated the ruling, but came to realize it may amount to a Pyrrhic victory.

She has not been contacted by officials from the AFC, she said. Nor has she heard from ethics investigators from FIFA, even though the organization’s rules state that gender discrimination is “strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.”

The case and its aftermath have highlighted how power works in global sports. It shows how a tainted Gulf royal linked to other cases of corruption has been able to exert significant control over one of soccer’s largest governing bodies even though he has no official role in its affairs. And it shows how a strategy of delay can be its own kind of injustice.

Mohamed’s case had roots in FIFA’s response to its own problems with discrimination: To address a lack of women on its governing board, the organization since 2013 set aside specific seats for women, starting with one voting member in 2013 and now a minimum of one from each of FIFA’s six regional confederations.

Mohamed, a former soccer player and coach from the Maldives, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, had hoped to win the AFC’s spot in a vote in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in April 2019. It did not take her long to realize that the power brokers of Asian soccer had already decided the election’s outcome.

She filed her first complaints about the election to the Asian confederation’s disciplinary department a month later. Emails show the organization responded to her inquiries by insisting it had begun an investigation, although it appears little was done. The AFC, citing confidentiality, refused to supply any evidence of its investigation to the court.

At a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport last July, the AFC hardly put up a defense. Its lawyers offered no witnesses to challenge Mohamed’s testimony that a top confederation official and the head of the soccer federation of Qatar had been present in a luxury hotel suite when the Kuwaiti sheikh, Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, told Mohamed he had decided that his preferred candidate, Mahfuza Akhter Kiron of Bangladesh, would be elected as the AFC’s female representative to the FIFA Council.

Mohamed was told she should drop her candidacy, and do so within 24 hours. She later claimed, in testimony that went unchallenged by the AFC, that Sheikh Ahmad attempted to mollify her by saying he had so much sway in international soccer circles that he could obtain for her “any other position of her choosing at the AFC or FIFA” in exchange for her withdrawal.

By this point, Sheikh Ahmad had no official role in soccer, having resigned his position on the FIFA Council in 2017 after allegations emerged in a U.S. federal court that he had bribed Asian officials. But Mohamed’s decision to take her case to court provided a rare public glimpse into his continuing stature as a power broker in global sports through his role as the president of the Olympic Council of Asia, an organization created by his father in 1982.

At a 2013 International Olympic Committee meeting, for example, Sheikh Ahmad’s support helped Thomas Bach secure the IOC presidency and also deliver the 2020 Olympics to Tokyo. Since he was indicted in a forgery case unrelated to sports in 2018, he has “self-suspended” from two prominent Olympic roles. But his opinion still carries weight.

Before the AFC’s 2019 elections, his legal troubles did not seem to be an issue. A list of his favored candidates was distributed to AFC voters on the eve of the elections and, aware of the talks with Mohamed and of Sheikh Ahmad’s preference for a different candidate, the leaders of several federations pressured Mohamed to drop out, she said. She declined to withdraw, and lost the vote, 31-15. Every candidate on Sheikh Ahmad’s list, however, was elected to seats on the AFC’s executive board or, as in Kiron’s case, as a confederation representative to FIFA.

After reviewing the evidence presented by Mohamed and her lawyers, the CAS panel made clear in the summary of its decision that it agreed with her version of the events. The panel confirmed that the 2019 elections had breached FIFA and AFC rules on gender discrimination. It concluded that Sheikh Ahmad had tried to influence the outcome, and that the AFC had denied Mohamed justice by not making a ruling on her complaint. It did, however, also say that by not bowing out of the elections, Mohamed ensured the sheikh’s efforts to influence the election in her case were not effective.

But the court said it was powerless to order that the flawed elections be annulled, or to punish any of the individuals accused of interfering with them. Any decision on further action was for FIFA, and the AFC, to decide, the court said.

Because of the rules governing the court, the panel’s full findings have been cloaked in secrecy since the verdict was announced on Jan. 25.

“If nothing happens it is a disgrace for FIFA, the AFC, and undermines the authority of CAS indirectly,” said Miguel Maduro, the former FIFA governance head who gave evidence in Mohamed’s case. “This award and what follows tells us at once that CAS has exposed corruption at the highest level of elections in football and at the same time tells us they cannot do anything about it.”

Maduro added that at the very least, FIFA should have initiated an ethics inquiry after the ruling. To date, it has not.

Such a move, though, would be extremely sensitive for soccer’s global leadership. The FIFA official responsible for overseeing the 2019 election, Eduardo Ache, told the CAS panel that soccer’s guidelines to improve female representation were mere recommendations. The panel said Ache’s evidence suggested he was “prepared to accept any discrimination provided at least one woman was elected to FIFA.”

But pressing for discipline in the case also could be uncomfortable for FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, who relies on the support of national and regional soccer leaders to push his agenda. He recently spent two weeks touring Africa, for example, to ensure that his favored candidate, a South African billionaire with no high-level experience in soccer administration, was elected president of the continent’s regional confederation. And he is unlikely to press for discipline against the leader of Qatar’s soccer federation — reportedly present when Mohamed was offered inducements to step aside — or any other Asian leader a year before Qatar hosts the 2022 World Cup.

The longer the full ruling in Mohamed’s case goes unpublished, though, the more it will give the appearance soccer’s leaders are trying to brush a problematic situation under the carpet, said Johan Lindholm, a professor of law at Umea University in Sweden who has published a book on CAS.

“Whether it’s because of bad PR or there are other things going on, then you would probably want to keep it as secret as possible,” Lindholm said.

The ruling could not have been more clear. One of soccer’s six regional bodies had engaged in discriminatory behavior against a female official by hindering her chances of getting a seat on its board and a leadership position with the sport’s global governing body, FIFA.

The ruling could not have been more clear. One of soccer’s six regional bodies had engaged in discriminatory behavior against a female official by hindering her chances of getting a seat on its board and a leadership position with the sport’s global governing body, FIFA. The official, Mariyam Mohamed, also convinced judges at sports’ top court that an influential Kuwaiti sheikh had actively interfered in elections held by the Asian Football Confederation in 2019 to achieve his desired outcome. The full ruling, which has not been published, was obtained by The New York Times. In it, a panel at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland concluded that the inaction by Asian soccer officials over several months amounted to a “denial of justice” for Mohamed. Yet two months since the decision was announced, the effect of what appears to be a powerful denunciation of ethics breaches and a disregard for women’s rights has had all the effect of a snowball hitting a tank. Nothing has happened. The tainted elections will not be rerun. The men who offered Mohamed inducements to drop out have not been punished. And soccer’s leaders have taken no action. FIFA said in an email it had no comment, even though it previously insisted it would follow up on the court’s findings with soccer officials in Asia. Asian soccer’s governing body also declined to comment, saying its leaders had nothing to add to a January statement in which they had pledged the organization would review the findings. For Mohamed, the silence has been maddening. “It’s just a game for them, justice denial, the same process that I was in,” she said in a phone interview. “They’re waiting for time to pass by, and hoping I get fed up. Now the verdict has come, and it’s just very sad. I don’t know where else to go now.” Mohamed, who filed her complaints to the Asian federation’s disciplinary department in May 2019, says she initially celebrated the ruling, but came to realize it may amount to a Pyrrhic victory. She has not been contacted by officials from the AFC, she said. Nor has she heard from ethics investigators from FIFA, even though the organization’s rules state that gender discrimination is “strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.” The case and its aftermath have highlighted how power works in global sports. It shows how a tainted Gulf royal linked to other cases of corruption has been able to exert significant control over one of soccer’s largest governing bodies even though he has no official role in its affairs. And it shows how a strategy of delay can be its own kind of injustice. Mohamed’s case had roots in FIFA’s response to its own problems with discrimination: To address a lack of women on its governing board, the organization since 2013 set aside specific seats for women, starting with one voting member in 2013 and now a minimum of one from each of FIFA’s six regional confederations. Mohamed, a former soccer player and coach from the Maldives, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, had hoped to win the AFC’s spot in a vote in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in April 2019. It did not take her long to realize that the power brokers of Asian soccer had already decided the election’s outcome. She filed her first complaints about the election to the Asian confederation’s disciplinary department a month later. Emails show the organization responded to her inquiries by insisting it had begun an investigation, although it appears little was done. The AFC, citing confidentiality, refused to supply any evidence of its investigation to the court. At a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport last July, the AFC hardly put up a defense. Its lawyers offered no witnesses to challenge Mohamed’s testimony that a top confederation official and the head of the soccer federation of Qatar had been present in a luxury hotel suite when the Kuwaiti sheikh, Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, told Mohamed he had decided that his preferred candidate, Mahfuza Akhter Kiron of Bangladesh, would be elected as the AFC’s female representative to the FIFA Council. Mohamed was told she should drop her candidacy, and do so within 24 hours. She later claimed, in testimony that went unchallenged by the AFC, that Sheikh Ahmad attempted to mollify her by saying he had so much sway in international soccer circles that he could obtain for her “any other position of her choosing at the AFC or FIFA” in exchange for her withdrawal. By this point, Sheikh Ahmad had no official role in soccer, having resigned his position on the FIFA Council in 2017 after allegations emerged in a U.S. federal court that he had bribed Asian officials. But Mohamed’s decision to take her case to court provided a rare public glimpse into his continuing stature as a power broker in global sports through his role as the president of the Olympic Council of Asia, an organization created by his father in 1982. At a 2013 International Olympic Committee meeting, for example, Sheikh Ahmad’s support helped Thomas Bach secure the IOC presidency and also deliver the 2020 Olympics to Tokyo. Since he was indicted in a forgery case unrelated to sports in 2018, he has “self-suspended” from two prominent Olympic roles. But his opinion still carries weight. Before the AFC’s 2019 elections, his legal troubles did not seem to be an issue. A list of his favored candidates was distributed to AFC voters on the eve of the elections and, aware of the talks with Mohamed and of Sheikh Ahmad’s preference for a different candidate, the leaders of several federations pressured Mohamed to drop out, she said. She declined to withdraw, and lost the vote, 31-15. Every candidate on Sheikh Ahmad’s list, however, was elected to seats on the AFC’s executive board or, as in Kiron’s case, as a confederation representative to FIFA. After reviewing the evidence presented by Mohamed and her lawyers, the CAS panel made clear in the summary of its decision that it agreed with her version of the events. The panel confirmed that the 2019 elections had breached FIFA and AFC rules on gender discrimination. It concluded that Sheikh Ahmad had tried to influence the outcome, and that the AFC had denied Mohamed justice by not making a ruling on her complaint. It did, however, also say that by not bowing out of the elections, Mohamed ensured the sheikh’s efforts to influence the election in her case were not effective. But the court said it was powerless to order that the flawed elections be annulled, or to punish any of the individuals accused of interfering with them. Any decision on further action was for FIFA, and the AFC, to decide, the court said. Because of the rules governing the court, the panel’s full findings have been cloaked in secrecy since the verdict was announced on Jan. 25. “If nothing happens it is a disgrace for FIFA, the AFC, and undermines the authority of CAS indirectly,” said Miguel Maduro, the former FIFA governance head who gave evidence in Mohamed’s case. “This award and what follows tells us at once that CAS has exposed corruption at the highest level of elections in football and at the same time tells us they cannot do anything about it.” Maduro added that at the very least, FIFA should have initiated an ethics inquiry after the ruling. To date, it has not. Such a move, though, would be extremely sensitive for soccer’s global leadership. The FIFA official responsible for overseeing the 2019 election, Eduardo Ache, told the CAS panel that soccer’s guidelines to improve female representation were mere recommendations. The panel said Ache’s evidence suggested he was “prepared to accept any discrimination provided at least one woman was elected to FIFA.” But pressing for discipline in the case also could be uncomfortable for FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, who relies on the support of national and regional soccer leaders to push his agenda. He recently spent two weeks touring Africa, for example, to ensure that his favored candidate, a South African billionaire with no high-level experience in soccer administration, was elected president of the continent’s regional confederation. And he is unlikely to press for discipline against the leader of Qatar’s soccer federation — reportedly present when Mohamed was offered inducements to step aside — or any other Asian leader a year before Qatar hosts the 2022 World Cup. The longer the full ruling in Mohamed’s case goes unpublished, though, the more it will give the appearance soccer’s leaders are trying to brush a problematic situation under the carpet, said Johan Lindholm, a professor of law at Umea University in Sweden who has published a book on CAS. “Whether it’s because of bad PR or there are other things going on, then you would probably want to keep it as secret as possible,” Lindholm said.

A soccer official proved her discrimination case. No one was punished.

Authorities in Japan's Osaka will discuss plans on Friday with organisers of the 2020 Tokyo Games to cancel the western region's leg of the Olympic torch relay, its governor said, to avert a clash with measures to curb a spate of virus infections.

The 121-day relay, set to touch Osaka in mid-April, is seen as the first major test of Games organisers' ability to hold a large event under strict coronavirus curbs. It features 10,000 runners carrying the torch through 47 prefectures.

"We can't have the Olympic torch relay take place on the public roads of Osaka city," Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura told reporters, adding that the talks with organisers would be held on Friday evening.

"I'd like to discuss with the Tokyo 2020 organising committee whether there might be something we could do in place of the relay."

The organisers require roadside spectators to wear masks, observe social distancing and avoid cheering to limit spread of the virus, although there have been no reports of infections arising from the relay.

Osaka city is the capital of one of Japan's biggest prefectures, which has a population of nearly 9 million people, and is grappling with a jump in infections surpassing those in the bigger city of Tokyo, the capital.

A two-month high of more than 600 new cases reported on Thursday, prompted the prefecture to adopt new emergency measures, such as shorter business hours and requests for people to work from home, which will run until May 5.

The Olympics, delayed by a year because of the pandemic, are set to run from July 23 to Aug. 8 and the Paralympics from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.

Authorities in Japan's Osaka will discuss plans on Friday with organisers of the 2020 Tokyo Games to cancel the western region's leg of the Olympic torch relay, its governor said, to avert a clash with measures to curb a spate of virus infections.

Authorities in Japan's Osaka will discuss plans on Friday with organisers of the 2020 Tokyo Games to cancel the western region's leg of the Olympic torch relay, its governor said, to avert a clash with measures to curb a spate of virus infections. The 121-day relay, set to touch Osaka in mid-April, is seen as the first major test of Games organisers' ability to hold a large event under strict coronavirus curbs. It features 10,000 runners carrying the torch through 47 prefectures. "We can't have the Olympic torch relay take place on the public roads of Osaka city," Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura told reporters, adding that the talks with organisers would be held on Friday evening. "I'd like to discuss with the Tokyo 2020 organising committee whether there might be something we could do in place of the relay." The organisers require roadside spectators to wear masks, observe social distancing and avoid cheering to limit spread of the virus, although there have been no reports of infections arising from the relay. Osaka city is the capital of one of Japan's biggest prefectures, which has a population of nearly 9 million people, and is grappling with a jump in infections surpassing those in the bigger city of Tokyo, the capital. A two-month high of more than 600 new cases reported on Thursday, prompted the prefecture to adopt new emergency measures, such as shorter business hours and requests for people to work from home, which will run until May 5. The Olympics, delayed by a year because of the pandemic, are set to run from July 23 to Aug. 8 and the Paralympics from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.

Japan's Osaka weighs cancelling leg of Olympic torch relay over virus surge

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic organising committee said on Saturday (March 20) that international spectators would not be allowed into Japan for the Summer Games because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

International spectators barred from entering Japan for Olympics

Japan`s government is leaning towards ending a state of emergency for Tokyo and surrounding areas over COVID-19 as scheduled on March 21, the Sankei newspaper reported on Sunday.

The government is expected to make its decision at a meeting with advisers on March 18, Sankei reported. Calls to the prime minister`s office were not answered.

The number of hospital beds in use to treat COVID-19 patients is falling gradually, which is justification to end the state of emergency as scheduled, the Sankei said, citing an unnamed government official.

Restrictions such as shorter business hours for restaurants and bars have helped reduce new daily cases in Tokyo to roughly a tenth of a peak of 2,520 on Jan. 7, but the number of new infections in Tokyo has been creeping up in recent days, raising concerns that the state of emergency might be extended.

There is growing consensus among government officials and advisers, though, that even if the state of emergency is kept in place it would not lead to a further improvement in the number of infections, the Sankei said, citing an unnamed member of the government`s advisory panel.

The Japanese government extended the emergency declaration for Tokyo and three neighbouring prefectures on March 5 by 14 days, saying COVID-19 cases hadn`t fallen far enough and that new, more infectious coronavirus variants posed a threat.

Japan is trying to bring coronavirus cases under control and get vaccinations well under way as it prepares to host the delayed Summer Olympics, now scheduled to start on July 23.

Japan has so far recorded 446,923 coronavirus cases and 8,573 deaths.

Japan`s government is leaning towards ending a state of emergency for Tokyo and surrounding areas over COVID-19 as scheduled on March 21, the Sankei newspaper reported on Sunday.

Japan`s government is leaning towards ending a state of emergency for Tokyo and surrounding areas over COVID-19 as scheduled on March 21, the Sankei newspaper reported on Sunday. The government is expected to make its decision at a meeting with advisers on March 18, Sankei reported. Calls to the prime minister`s office were not answered. The number of hospital beds in use to treat COVID-19 patients is falling gradually, which is justification to end the state of emergency as scheduled, the Sankei said, citing an unnamed government official. Restrictions such as shorter business hours for restaurants and bars have helped reduce new daily cases in Tokyo to roughly a tenth of a peak of 2,520 on Jan. 7, but the number of new infections in Tokyo has been creeping up in recent days, raising concerns that the state of emergency might be extended. There is growing consensus among government officials and advisers, though, that even if the state of emergency is kept in place it would not lead to a further improvement in the number of infections, the Sankei said, citing an unnamed member of the government`s advisory panel. The Japanese government extended the emergency declaration for Tokyo and three neighbouring prefectures on March 5 by 14 days, saying COVID-19 cases hadn`t fallen far enough and that new, more infectious coronavirus variants posed a threat. Japan is trying to bring coronavirus cases under control and get vaccinations well under way as it prepares to host the delayed Summer Olympics, now scheduled to start on July 23. Japan has so far recorded 446,923 coronavirus cases and 8,573 deaths.

Japan leaning towards ending Tokyo state of emergency on March 21

According to a report, Japan has said that it will not allow foreign fans to attend the Tokyo Olympics due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Report: Japan bars foreign fans from attending Tokyo Olympics

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