Yoshihide Suga

Officials both in Tokyo and with the International Olympic Committee have begun to acknowledge that holding a safe games might not be possible.

The survey also showed that 61.4% of respondents said they do not highly regard the government's response to the novel coronavirus epidemic.

With public support sinking over the pandemic and questions raised over his past statements on Abe's spring party scandal, prosecution of a trusted ally only adds to Suga's woes.

Even lawmakers in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party criticized their leaders after the government's top spokesperson described the situation in Washington as "difficult."

The loss corresponds to 0.4% of Japan's annual gross domestic product in nominal terms.

The government will temporarily suspend the arrangement with 11 Asian countries and regions from Thursday, effectively banning the entry of all nonresident foreign travelers.

The latest monthly decline was the sharpest since a 13.2% fall was logged in March last year when the virus began to spread rapidly.

LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai's ties to the tourism industry are believed to have delayed the Go To Travel campaign halt and played a role in slowing a second emergency declaration.

The Microsoft founder called on the PM to host a successful Summer Games in order to send a strong message to the rest of the world.

In the poll, 35.3% called for the cancellation of the Tokyo Games, while 44.8% said the games should be put off again.

"I was told that we need to observe the situation for a few days, so I am thinking along those lines," he said, referring to experts' opinions.

The idea has caught Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's eye at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is stirring worries about job security and social inequality.