Japan to decide soon on spectators at Olympics

Japan will decide this month on whether to allow domestic spectators at the Tokyo Olympics, the government's chief spokesman said today, after experts signed off on a plan to allow crowds of up to 10,000 people at events.

The final call on attendance at the Games will be made taking into account coronavirus infection conditions and the prevalence of variants, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters. Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishim ura said health experts agreed with a government plan that would permit up to 10,000 spectators or 50% of a venue's capacity, whichever is smaller, at events.

Allowing such crowds depends on there not being special infection controls in effect, however. Foreign spectators are already prohibited from the Olympics beginning on July 23 as part of measures planned to deliver what Japanese government and Olympic officials promise will be a "safe and secure" Games.

"It is important that we maintain thorough antiinfection measures to prevent a rebound in cases, especially as we foresee a spread of the Delta variant," Nishimura told a government advisory panel, which endorsed the plan.

Tokyo organisers might be forgiven for eyeing football's European Cham pionship with envy, as tens of thousands of fans are expected to gather in stadiums across the continent throughout the monthlong spectacle.

Tuesday, a full house of 67,000 supporters watched Hungary take on Portugal in their Euro 2020 opener.

Other nations are allowing various sized crowds, with up to 45,000 expected at both semifinals and the July 11 final to be played at London's Wembley Stadium.