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.
National Apr 14, 2021
Organizers celebrate 100 days until problem-plagued Tokyo Games
by Ryusei Takahashi
Countless controversial elements regarding restrictions on spectator attendance and the priority vaccination of competing athletes, among others, remain undecided.
National Apr 13, 2021
Olympic torch carried through empty Osaka park as COVID-19 cases rise
The Tokyo Organizing Committee decided not to run the relay along public roads in Osaka last week after authorities declared a medical state of emergency in the city over the virus.
National Apr 7, 2021
Shimane Prefecture approves Olympic torch relay after initial opposition
Shimane Prefecture has so far confirmed about 290 coronavirus cases, while the cumulative number of infections in Tokyo stood at 123,350 as of Tuesday.
National Apr 2, 2021
Tokyo Olympic all-male torch relay leg lets women in after backlash
In the relay leg due to be held Tuesday, only men were initially set to be allowed to board a boat to be used in the 200-meter segment, crossing a canal in Handa, Aichi Prefecture.
National Apr 2, 2021
Tokyo Olympic torch relay in Osaka to be canceled due to virus spike
Some sections of the relay have been heavily crowded, even though organizers have said segments may be skipped if too many people show up to watch.
National Apr 1, 2021
Stricter virus measures to be rolled out for Osaka, Hyogo and Miyagi
by Ryusei Takahashi
“Stronger measures have become necessary in Osaka, Hyogo and Miyagi prefectures to contain the outbreak before it gets worse," said minister Yasutoshi Nishimura.