Audio By Carbonatix
Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the Tokyo Olympic Games will go ahead as planned in July, despite coronavirus concerns resulting in the postponement of sporting events.
Abe added the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would have the final decision whether Tokyo 2020 goes ahead.
"We will overcome the spread of the infection and host the Olympics without problem, as planned," Abe said.
Japan has had more than 1,400 cases and 28 deaths resulting from coronavirus.
The Tokyo Games is expected to cost about 1.35 trillion yen (£10.26bn), organisers said in December.
The Japan section of the Olympic Torch relay is due to start in Fukushima on 26 March. The recent torch-lighting ceremony in ancient Olympia was held without spectators, before the rest of the relay in Greece was suspended to avoid attracting crowds.
Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike said: "We're taking thorough infection measures with regards to the torch relay domestically."
Several Olympic trials events in the United States have been postponed, including wrestling, rowing and diving.
However, the boxing events in London will go ahead on Saturday as scheduled.
Latest Stories
-
Oil hits over 1-week low on hopes of boost to diplomacy in Iran war
43 minutes -
They take GH¢100, sometimes GH¢200 – Okada riders allege police extortion in Accra
52 minutes -
NACOC: We’ve found no presidential escort among suspects in €225m France cocaine case
1 hour -
Don’t turn students away over trunks and chop boxes – GES
1 hour -
Italian Apple store employees strike on iPhone 18 Pro launch day
1 hour -
Apple’s Tim Cook sees Australia’s social media curbs as ‘world-leading’, PM says
2 hours -
Amazon raises minimum hourly pay by $1 to $20 for US operations workers
2 hours -
Insurance cost has largely remained stable – NPA boss on transport fare pressure
2 hours -
Multiple unions threaten strikes at Barrick’s flagship Mali gold mine, documents show
2 hours -
Infantino invited to African summit as he faces challenge to FIFA leadership
2 hours -
NPA boss flags ‘recalcitrant’ transport operators raising fares arbitrarily
3 hours -
GPRTU fare hike put on ice after talks with government – NPA boss reveals
3 hours -
I’m greatly worried – NPA boss on threat of higher transport fares
3 hours -
We are largely import-dependent – NPA boss on Ghana’s fuel vulnerability
4 hours -
Ghana’s fuel market is built for turbulence – NPA’s Edudzi Tamakloe explains why
4 hours