Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday expressed his strong resolve to go ahead with the Tokyo Olympics next month despite concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, urging the Group of Seven countries to send athletes to the games, a government official said.
"We will make preparations toward a safe and secure Tokyo Games, putting in place all steps to prevent the spread of the virus," Suga was quoted as saying during the G7 summit, adding, "I would like you to send strong teams, with expectations that the world's top-level athletes will show their best performances."
The G7 leaders responded with "warm smiles on their faces," which signaled their support for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the official explained.