International spectators will not be allowed to enter Japan for the Tokyo Olympics this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers said.
"Approximately 600.000 tickets purchased for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be refunded, as will another 300.000 tickets for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Olympics.", said Toshiro Muto, Executive Director of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee at a press conference.
The Olympics have been postponed due to the pandemic.
The Olympics were postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the new coronavirus distanced the media from this event, both the organizers and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga promised that the Olympic Games would take place. The decision to ban international spectators will do just that "Make the Olympic Games safe for all participants and for the Japanese public", said the organizers of Tokyo 2020.
People who are involved, in one way or another, in the conduct or organization of the Summer Olympics, will be allowed to enter the country, while regular visitors will not be able to travel to participate in the event. The Olympic Games are scheduled from July 23 to August 8, and the Paralympic Games from August 24 to September 5.
As in other countries, tourism in Japan has been severely affected by the pandemic.
Media polls have shown that the Japanese public is worried about possible international spectators (carriers of new strains of coronavirus) who could enter the country, while Japan is struggling with a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Japanese government is aware that the country will not benefit from the long-standing tourism boom due to travel restrictions. Japan has become increasingly dependent on foreign tourists, especially from Asia, to strengthen its economy.
The decision does not apply to Japanese citizens who want to participate in this event. Toshiro Muto said organizers will decide next month whether to impose restrictions on those living in Japan who want to travel to the Tokyo Olympics.