Games could still be cancelled: official

TOKYO: A senior Japanese ruling party official said cancelling this year’s Olympics in Tokyo remains an option if the Covid19 crisis becomes too dire, as a fourth wave of infections surges less than 100 days from the planned start of the Games.

‘‘If it seems impossible to do it any more, then we have to stop, decisively,’’ Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, said in comments to broadcaster TBS.

Cancellation is ‘‘of course’’ an option, Nikai said.

‘‘If the Olympics were to spread infection, then what are the Olympics for?’’ he added.

A key backer of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, party heavyweight Nikai is known for his frank comments.

The world’s biggest sporting event has already been delayed by a year and is being held without international spectators.

Japan is grappling with rising Covid infections, with cases in Tokyo jumping to 729 yesterday, the most since early February, and Osaka suffering a record number of cases.

The government is pushing ahead with preparations, incorporating social distancing measures and other restrictions for the Games set to begin on July 23.

A scaledback torch relay is under way.

Polls indicate little support in Japan for holding the Games during a global pandemic.

‘‘Cancelling Olympics’’ was trending on Twitter in Japan yesterday, with more than 50,000 tweets from users.

‘‘If this person says it, Olympics cancellation looks like a reality,’’ @marumaru_clm tweeted, in reference to Nikai.

The Tokyo Olympics Organising Committee responded with a statement saying all those involved in preparing for the Games remained fully focused on hosting them in the summer.

The comments from lawmakers come as health experts raise alarm at the spread of infection.

Japan’s top medical adviser, Shigeru Omi, acknowledged the pandemic had entered a fourth wave, driven by mutant strains, and Kyoto University professor Hiroshi Nishiura urged the Olympics be postponed. — Reuters