The Group of Seven industrialized nations are finalizing a plan to express support for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in a joint statement expected to be released after a summit Friday, Japanese government sources said.
The move comes as Japan seeks to use every occasion to counter skepticism about whether the postponed games can be held safely this summer amid the coronavirus pandemic. A recent Kyodo News poll showed more than 80% of the respondents said the games should be put off again or cancelled.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga asked British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during their phone talks earlier this week to garner support for the games and cooperation from other members of the G7 — Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Sates. Britain is this year's chair of the G7.