Around 80% of people in Japan believe the postponed Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics planned for the summer should be canceled or rescheduled with the novel coronavirus pandemic continuing to cast a cloud over the sporting event, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday.

The weekend telephone survey was conducted as the nation is struggling with a resurgence of novel coronavirus cases that have increased the strain on the country's medical system.

In the poll, 35.3% called for the cancellation of the Tokyo Games, while 44.8% said the event should be put off again. The games were slated to take place last year but were rescheduled due to the pandemic.