A senior member of Japan's ruling party, Toshihiro Nikai has said that the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics is an option.
“If it becomes impossible, then it should be called off,” Nikai said, in quotes reported by the Kyodo news agency, with the games due to begin on July 23rd.
“What is the point of the Olympics if it’s responsible for spreading infections? We will have to make a decision at that point.”
Nikai later added in a statement, also reported by Kyodo: “What I meant was, if you are asking whether the Olympics and Paralympics should be held no matter what, I would say no.”
There has been a surge of COVID 19 cases in Japan where public support for the staging of the Games is low.
The International Olympic Committee has maintained its stance that the showpiece will proceed.
