With more Olympic athletes testing positive concerns grow over the safety of the Tokyo
Games. Leading the U.S. delegation, First Lady Jill
Biden has arrived in Japan but the country's former PM, who played a key role in bringing
the event to Toyo, won't be attending the opening ceremony.
For details , let's turn to our Han Seong-woo Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
will not be attending the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics this Friday.
Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported on Wednesday that his decision took into account
the ongoing state of emergency in Tokyo... which had led to authorities banning spectators
from most Olympic venues earlier this month. Abe's absence comes as a surprise... considering
he played a pivotal role in bringing the Games to Tokyo.
Meanwhile, the director of the opening ceremony Kentaro Kobayashi was dismissed following
news reports of past jokes he made regarding the Holocaust.
"Kentaro Kobayashi, who is a member of the Opening Ceremony production team, had in the
past during his own performance said lines that mocked a painful historic fact..."
It's the latest in a series of missteps that have critics doubting the Games... already
being seen by many as a potential super-spreader event.
Four more Olympic Village residents, including two athletes, have tested positive for COVID-19.
That brings the infection tally linked to the Games to at least 91 people since July.
Several athletes have already been forced to withdraw after contracting the virus.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto did not rule out a last-minute
cancellation of the Olympics.
"At the five-party meeting, which was held the other day, we agreed that based on the
coronavirus situation, we will convene five-party talks again. At this point, the coronavirus
cases may rise or fall, so we will think about what we should do when the situation arises."
Given the circumstances, Japanese Emperor Naruhito will reportedly not be using the
word "celebration" when he declares the opening of the Games.
Details are being kept secret, but only about 950 VIPs are expected to be present for the
opening ceremony at the 68,000-capacity Japan National Stadium.
Han Seong-woo, Arirang News.