National Jul 9, 2021
Without runners, Olympic torch relay gets off to muted start in Tokyo
Despite wet conditions and the opening ceremony being held behind closed doors, about 100 people gathered to get a glimpse of the flame.
National Jun 30, 2021
With Tokyo cases rising, Olympic organizers see ticket lottery complication
An extension of current COVID-19 measures would wreak havoc on organizers' plans, since it would require them to further whittle down the number of spectators.
National May 27, 2021
Olympic torch relay likely to be taken off public roads in Hokkaido
Officials said the Hokkaido government plans to cancel the two-day relay on public roads in 18 municipalities.
National May 17, 2021
Downscaled Olympic torch relay held in Hiroshima amid COVID-19 surge
The torchbearers gathered in the city of Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, as organizers decided not to use public roads for the relay.
National May 11, 2021
Hiroshima, Hyogo and Okayama take Olympic torch relay off roads
The three prefectures in western Japan become the latest to cancel legs of the event on public roads as coronavirus case surge.
National May 7, 2021
Paralympic flame event at Sagamihara massacre site to be scrapped
Some relatives of the victims of the stabbings at Tsukui Yamayuri En, as well as support groups, voiced opposition to the plan.
National May 5, 2021
World's oldest person pulls out of Olympic torch relay due to COVID-19 concerns
Kane Tanaka, who was awarded a Guinness World Record, was slated to be one of the relay participants in Fukuoka, which will start on May 11.
National May 2, 2021
Six Tokyo Olympics torch relay staff members test positive for COVID-19
A total of eight staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start on March 25 of the Japan leg of the torch relay
National Apr 24, 2021
Okinawa Prefecture organizers announced Friday that the May 2 leg in Miyakojima will not be run at all, and no events will be held.
National Apr 22, 2021
Tokyo Olympic torch staffer becomes event's 1st COVID-19 infection
A police officer helping with Japan's Olympic Torch relay has become the first participant in the event to be diagnosed with COVID-19, organizers said on Thursday. A man in his 30s tested positive for the virus after working on the relay in Shikoku's Kagawa Prefecture, ...
National Apr 19, 2021
NHK asked to investigate after anti-Olympic protest muted during torch relay
Japan's national broadcaster has said that it muted the voices out of consideration for Olympic torch relay runners and other circumstances.
National Apr 14, 2021
A total of 27 torchbearers were initially scheduled to run on Matsuyama's roads.