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Agence France-Presse

Japan’s prime minister on Friday dismissed claims that the country’s emperor is “concerned” the Tokyo Olympics could spread the coronavirus, saying the comments were the opinions of an imperial household representative.
On Thursday, Yasuhiko Nishimura, the head of the Imperial Household Agency that manages royal affairs, told reporters that Emperor Naruhito is “very worried about the current infection situation of Covid-19”, Japanese media reported.
Nishimura said he believed the emperor “is concerned that while there are voices of anxiety among the public, the holding of the Olympics and Paralympics … may lead to a rise in infections”.
He noted that he had “not heard such words directly from his majesty” but believed he “feels that way”, Kyodo reported.
A month before Olympics, capital protest highlights Japanese opposition
While the emperor holds no political power, he is an important symbolic figure in Japan.
But the remarks were dismissed on Friday by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who told reporters Nishimura had “expressed his own opinion”.
The line was echoed by Olympic minister Tamayo Marukawa and top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato.
Nishimura “was asked to comment on his own feelings about the Olympics, and … [he] discussed his feelings”, Kato told reporters.
“I understand that he said he has come to form this sense as he holds daily conversations with his majesty. It has to be stressed that he was speaking about his own thoughts,” Kato added.


On Thursday, Kato insisted the government remained committed to hosting a “safe and secure” Olympics, Kyodo reported.
“I would like to ask the Imperial Household Agency for details, but as I have said, we will realise a safe and secure games,” Kato said.
Suga, who has repeatedly said the Olympics can be held safely, faces a party leadership vote in September and if there are major problems with the games under his watch, he could join a long list of short-serving Japanese prime ministers.
Public opinion has for months been firmly opposed to holding the Games this year, though recent polls suggest opposition may be softening.
No overseas fans will be allowed and domestic spectators will be capped at 10,000 per event.
Meanwhile, a member of the Ugandan Olympic team who tested positive for the coronavirus upon arrival in Japan had the Delta variant, Japan’s Olympics minister said on Friday.
A coach in the African nation’s delegation tested positive after landing in Japan on Saturday, while a second member, an athlete, tested positive on Wednesday after arriving in the team’s host city of Izumisano, officials said previously.
Japan accused of ‘massaging’ coronavirus figures ahead of Tokyo
Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa told a news conference that the person who arrived on Saturday had been found to have the highly infectious Delta variant and that an analysis was also being conducted on the second confirmed case, NHK public TV reported.
Marukawa said she would consult other ministries and liaise with those on the ground about what steps were needed, NHK said.
The handling of the case has sparked criticism from local officials and experts, and fuelled concerns about what lies ahead.
Although one member tested positive for the virus at the airport, the rest travelled to the host town in a bus, accompanied by three city officials, an Izumisano official said. Those people were only designated “close contacts” days later.
Japan has seen a comparatively small virus outbreak, with around 14,500 deaths despite avoiding harsh lockdowns.
Its vaccine roll-out started slowly but has picked up pace in recent weeks, with nearly nine per cent of the population fully vaccinated.
Plans are being considered to have Naruhito, who serves as an honorary patron of the Tokyo Olympics, speak at the opening ceremony, Kyodo reported.
Japan’s post-war constitution stipulates the emperor “shall not have powers related to government,” and in practice, this also has meant avoiding comments touching on subjects that are politically or socially sensitive.
In February, at a news conference to coincide with his 61st birthday, Naruhito said he was thankful for the “perseverance and strength of the people” in Japan in the face of the pandemic, Kyodo said.
Additional reporting by Bloomberg, Reuters


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Yasuhiko Nishimura, the head of the Imperial Household Agency, said the emperor is ‘very worried about the current infection situation of Covid-19’
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga dismissed the remarks, saying Nishimura had ‘expressed his own opinion’



Yasuhiko Nishimura, the head of the Imperial Household Agency, said the emperor is ‘very worried about the current infection situation of Covid-19.’


Japan

Yoshihide Suga

Coronavirus pandemic

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