<Anchor>
A high-ranking Japanese minister made a statement to the effect that the July Tokyo Olympics may be cancelled.
This is the first remark that came out within the Japanese government, and there is a stir.
Correspondent Yoo Seong-jae reports from Tokyo.
<Reporter> In
an interview with Reuters on the 14th, Taro Kono, who served as Foreign Minister, told Reuters about the possibility of hosting the Tokyo Olympics, which is approaching six months.
[Kono/Japan Administrative Reform Award (14th): You can go either way.
Whatever the case, the organizing committee will finally make the necessary decisions, whether it is held or canceled.] The
remark was based on the assumption that anything could happen until the event, but Reuters said that the Olympics may not proceed as planned due to the corona crisis. He said it was the first time that the Japanese government's mention came from a high-ranking minister.
The New York Times also reported that Kono's remarks were quite different from the official Japanese government's position to steadily prepare the Olympics as a'safety and secure' event, and that the prospect of the event has become even darker.
As Minister Kono's remarks spread, the Japanese government hastened to evolve.
Government spokesman Kato, Secretary of State Kato, appeared on a broadcast and stressed that "the stadium and schedule have been decided, and officials are focusing on preparations," and stressed that the policy of the July event has not changed.
In the midst of this, the number of new coronavirus cases in Japan recorded around 7,000 on the second day.
According to a recent poll, 8 out of 10 Japanese citizens believe that hosting the July Olympics is impossible due to the re-proliferation of the corona.