Tokyo 2020 Off The Field

Steps have been taken to create barrier-free facilities ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games. But now that the Paralympics have begun, who is going to ensure such groundbreaking efforts continue?

Shigeru Omi questioned the IOC chief's decision to visit the capital again, since the government has been urging people to stay at home and telework to help curb coronavirus infections.

Over 20,000 students from across the capital are still expected to watch events in person, but most schools in Tokyo have canceled visits to competition venues.

The Dawn Cafe employs around 50 people with physical and mental disabilities to work from home as "pilots," operating robot staff.

Operators are working to reduce steps and gaps between carriages and platforms so that wheelchair users can get on and off trains by themselves.

Medical experts have pushed for the temporary use of facilities owned by the Tokyo government, such as the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, site of swimming competitions.

As of July 12, there were 18,578 registered vacation rental homes and apartments, compared with a peak of 21,385 in April 2020, according to data released by the Japan Tourism Agency.

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike pledged to hold the Games safely, saying, "The Tokyo Games will not be a success, without the success of the Paralympics."

"Every Jamaican knows that gratitude is a must," wrote the country's Prime Minister Andrew Holness.