Despite the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the country to declare a third state of emergency and rising public opposition, organizers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games say the global sporting event is still on, arguing that it will serve as a "symbol of resilience" during an otherwise bleak time.
The country's vaccine rollout is starting to speed up, but critics fear the games will trigger a superspreader event in the capital — one that pushes the local health care system beyond its breaking point.
Organizers, however, insist the sporting event can be held safely with virus protocols in place.