▲ Protest against the Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo
With about a month before the opening of the Tokyo Olympics, the rate of increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Japan is slowing.
According to the local public broadcaster NHK today (19th), 1,520 new cases of Corona 19 in Japan were identified by 6:30 pm today.
As a result, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Japan has risen to 78,662.
The death toll rose by 28 to 14,419.
Compared to the same day of the week a week ago, the number of new confirmed cases per day in Japan has decreased for 36 consecutive days from the 15th of last month to today.
However, with the expectation that the mutated virus will become mainstream soon, the atmosphere of anticipation of the Olympics, which is about a month away from the opening, is seldom rising.
According to Kyodo News, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Governor Yuriko Koike, the head of the host city, has announced that he will cancel the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic broadcaster group tours, which he had promoted so that citizens could gather and cheer while watching the game.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government had planned to provide facilities for group viewing of matches in six locations, including Yoyogi Park, but this decision was made in consideration of concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
In addition, it was decided to divert some of the facilities that were promoted for group tours as a COVID-19 vaccination center.
Toshiaki Endo, vice president of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee, appeared on Yomiuri TV today and expressed the perception that "a flexible response must be made", including switching to matches without spectators if the Corona 19 infection situation worsens during the Games.
(Photo = Getty Images Korea)