Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on May 28 held a press conference after deciding to extend the COVID-19 state of emergency over nine prefectures of Japan. There were questions about the Tokyo Olympics, but none of the answers satisfied the public.
A question-and-answer format does not deepen discussion and promote understanding in the first place. The Japanese government, the organizing committee of the Olympics and Paralympics and the International Olympic Committee appear to be avoiding dialogue despite the concerns that many Japanese citizens harbor about the hosting of the sporting event.
Were not the Olympics supposed to be a festival of peace? Working for peace is not an easy task. It begins with tenaciously engaging in dialogue with people who hold diverse views. If we abandon this process, then the Olympics have no meaning.