Emperor finds nothing to celebrate in Games launch

The emperor of Japan will not use the word ‘‘celebrate’’ when he opens Tokyo 2020 in the latest sign of his discreet opposition to the holding of the Games during the pandemic. As head of state, Emperor Naruhito, 61, will formerly declare the Games open today in a stadium devoid of ordinary spectators. But, according to Japanese media, he will not use the form of words outlined in the Olympic charter, in acknowledgment of the state of emergency in Tokyo and in sympathy with the majority of Japanese who oppose the holding of the Games.