During the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, "public viewing" is scheduled to be held in Tokyo to gather people and watch the live broadcast of the competition, and the venue has begun to be improved.
However, depending on the infection situation at the time of the event, the event will be contrary to the suppression of the flow of people that the city is calling for, and the city will make a "difficult decision."
The host city of Tokyo and the Games Organizing Committee are planning to set up "public viewing" venues in six locations in Tokyo, including Yoyogi Park and Inokashira Park, where people can gather to watch the live broadcast of the competition.
At Yoyogi Park, preparations for setting up the venue have begun this month, such as cutting some tree branches so that vehicles can pass through.
For these venues, the capital has a policy of making advance reservations to prevent crowding of people.
On the other hand, the infection situation is uncertain, and the capacity has not been decided yet, considering the restrictions on the event.
In addition, the capital is now calling for the suppression of the flow of people, but depending on the infection situation at the time of the event, it will be an event that goes against the suppression.
The person in charge of the city said, "It's a difficult decision. It's worth watching the broadcast with a certain number of people, but I'm not sure how much it will affect the flow of people. That's it. "
Park user "I'm worried about infection by events"
A man in his thirties who visited Yoyogi Park for a walk said, "I think it's a good idea to create a relay venue and enjoy the Olympics, but if you hold an event, I want you to take proper measures against infection."
A woman in her 50s who lives near the park and uses it for dog walks every day said, "You don't have to bother to modify the park, and it's annoying to the people who use it, so please stop. I'm worried. I don't know who I'm doing for. "
Governor Koike "Operating while devising"
During the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, Governor Koike said at a press conference that the city plans to hold "public viewing" at six venues to gather spectators and watch the competition. After that, we will consider what to do with the number of visitors, whether to apply in advance, etc., and manage it while making various ingenuity. "
In addition, Governor Koike said, "Usually, while some people were asked about the fact that tree branches were cut for preparation at one of the venues, Yoyogi Park, and some people were skeptical. I heard that it will be carried out after consulting with a specialist who is in charge of tree management. It is a work to ensure safety in preparation for setup. "
Budget 4.5 billion yen for venue management
During the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will set up six venues in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Kumamoto Earthquake, in addition to the six venues in Tokyo where you can watch the competition for free.
The venues of the disaster area are "Morioka Castle Ruins Park Multipurpose Plaza" in Morioka City, "JR Morioka Station Waterfall Plaza", "Kumamoto Park" in Sendai City, "Tsuruga Castle Park" in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, and "Aqua" in Iwaki City. "Marine Park" and "Kumamoto Castle Hall" in Kumamoto City.
The budget allocated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to operate a total of 12 venues is 3.7 billion yen, which is 4.5 billion yen including the cost of measures against the new coronavirus at the venues.
Initially, the largest venue in Yoyogi Park was expected to accommodate 35,000 people a day.
Although the infection has not subsided and the state of emergency continues, the same size is still secured and the size of other venues has not changed from the original plan.
Full-scale construction will begin on June 1st at Yoyogi Park, and will begin at other venues thereafter.
There are voices saying that holding an event itself goes against the restraint of the flow of people, but the Tokyo Metropolitan Government says that it will decide the capacity etc. according to the future situation.
Apart from Tokyo, many local governments nationwide are also planning to hold "public viewing", and they will be forced to decide how each local government will respond.
Signing activities requesting cancellation on the net
Regarding the public viewing of Tokyo Yoyogi Park, there is a signing activity on the Internet requesting the cancellation of the plan.
This is what Rochelle Kopp, an American and management consultant living in Japan, is calling on her website.
"The act of gathering thousands of people is strange as the new corona expands and the progress of vaccination is slow, so there is no need to squeeze many trees," he said.
From the 22nd to the 28th of this month, more than 102,000 signatures were collected from 6 pm.
Infectious disease control expert "Consider discontinuation depending on the situation"
Infectious disease control experts have pointed out that it may be necessary to consider canceling public viewing planned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in Yoyogi Park, etc., depending on the infection situation.
Professor Kazuhiro Tateda of Toho University, a member of the government's subcommittee on measures against the new coronavirus, said about the public viewing planned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, "It can be said that it is at the stage 3 infection level now, and if this situation continues. The risk of infection should be evaluated as to whether or not it should be implemented. It is possible that the venue was created but no one can enter, "he said, pointing out that depending on the infection situation, it may be necessary to consider discontinuing it. ..
On top of that, "Even if it is implemented, it is necessary to make a solid guideline and take thorough measures against infection. Furthermore, if you go to a meal or drink alcohol after watching the competition, the risk will increase. Public viewing It is important to take proper measures against infection, including before and after. "
Subcommittee Chairman Omi "There is a risk of increased infection"
"The Olympics are different in scale and social attention from other sporting events," said Omi, chairman of the government subcommittee, at the House of Representatives Welfare and Labor Committee. If you do something like public viewing in an atmosphere that you want to see, based on your experience so far, there is a great risk of an increase in infection because the number of people will increase and the chances of contact with people will increase. " I did.