TOKYO: More than 75 percent of Japanese oppose overseas fans attending the Tokyo Olympics, a poll showed Monday, as organisers prepare to make a decision on foreign spectators.
The poll, by the Yomiuri Shimbun daily, found that only 18 percent of people who responded were in favour of foreign spectators being allowed into Japan for the coronavirus-delayed Games, with 77 percent against.
Games organisers said last week that they plan to rule on the matter this month, likely before the nationwide torch relay begins on March 25.
But Japanese media say Games chiefs have already decided to bar foreign fans.
Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto said Friday that coordinators “truly need to hold the occasion in full arenas with fans from around the planet”, however would think that its troublesome “in case we’re not in a position where we can acknowledge them and the circumstance with clinical offices isn’t awesome”.
The Yomiuri survey likewise uncovered that 45% of respondents were supportive of onlookers in everyday going to the Games, with 48% contradicted.
Coordinators have said they intend to settle on a choice on by and large participation limits in April.
The survey was led between March 5-7 through arbitrary calls, with 1,066 of the 1,977 individuals reached reacting.
