The Japan Golf Council on Tuesday urged Tokyo 2020 Olympic organizers to move the event's golf competition away from Kasumigaseki Country Club in Saitama Prefecture, even if the venue changes its rules to allow women to become full members.

"We are hoping for a change of venue to somewhere where the players and spectators will not suffer," said JGC Chairwoman Eiko Oya, who leads a nonprofit organization founded last year to try to modernize the sport in Japan.

"This issue of women members came later. We wouldn't say no if Kasumigaseki did change its membership policy, but the main objective is to find a comfortable venue for the competition."