Coronavirus: Shinzo Abe tells Donald Trump Japan prepping for Tokyo 2020 Olympics as planned
- Japan’s chief cabinet secretary issues response to Trump, stating government’s stance has not changed
- Trump suggested Japan postpone the 2020 Summer Olympics when asked by a reporter during a White House press briefing
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told US President Donald Trump during telephone talks on Friday that Japan is preparing to hold the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics as planned despite Trump’s one-year postponement suggestion, the top government spokesman said.
In their first conversation about the coronavirus outbreak, Abe and Trump spoke about their respective countries’ efforts to contain the pneumonia-causing virus that was found in China late last year, and agreed to work together to prevent its further spread.
The talks, requested by Trump, come amid growing uncertainty over Tokyo’s hosting of the games that are due to begin in four months’ time. There has been speculation that the viral outbreak, characterised as a “pandemic” by the World Health Organisation, has put the games in jeopardy.
“Our government’s stance has not changed that we will coordinate closely with the International Olympic Committee, organisers and the Tokyo metropolitan government to steadily proceed with preparations,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference.
“During the telephone conversation, the prime minister mentioned our country’s efforts toward holding the events,” Suga said, adding that Trump appreciated them. The Tokyo Olympic Games are due to be held from July 24 to August 9, followed by the Paralympic Games from August 25 to September 6.