From the streets of Tokyo, 22 residents weigh up the Olympic Games

From the streets of Tokyo, 22 residents weigh up the Olympic Games

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The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are only two months away, but residents are deeply divided on whether they should go ahead mid-pandemic, after the Games were already delayed by a year due to COVID-19.

A fourth coronavirus wave, renewed state of emergency restrictions and an already stretched healthcare system have got many calling for the event to be cancelled. As a preventative measure, most foreigners are already banned from attending and a decision is still pending on domestic spectators.

Opinion polls show a majority of respondents want the Games postponed or cancelled even as the government has promised to keep them safe. But the reality on the streets of Tokyo paints a more complex picture.

Toshihiko Osawa, the third-generation owner of a traditional sweet shop in Tokyo, said he wants the Olympics to be held, with domestic spectators allowed to attend.

"If there aren't any spectators, there won't be as much tension and thrill for the athletes," the 67-year-old said. "To have spectators and have everybody yelling is nicer."

. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Takahashi at Koganeyu Coin Laundry.

Restaurant owner Akihiro Takahashi, 34, would like the Games to take place but not this year.

He worries about the health risks from foreign athletes and officials entering Japan, and mourns the overseas tourists who would have packed his Japanese restaurant in a usual Olympics year.

"I think it may be hard for Japanese people to be pleased about these Games in their hearts," he said.

. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Yamamura at Hie Shrine after attending a tea ceremony.

Kimono-clad Keiko Yamamura, a 58-year old yoga instructor, is also conflicted.

"Variant strains could enter, creating a terrible situation," she said. "But when I think of the athletes who have worked so hard, I'd like to let them do it."

. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Kawada visits public bathhouse Daikoku-yu.

For older people, the contrast with the 1964 Tokyo Games, a moment of national triumph for booming Japan, is stark.

"There's just no excitement. The mood now is almost like a wake," said retiree Isao Kawada, soaking in a traditional public bath. Kawada, who is 77 but will only receive his first vaccine on July 2, said he still wanted the Games to go ahead.

. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Sekozawa visits the Sugamo district, an area popular with the Japanese elderly.

Former container ship captain Shinichiro Sekozawa, 89, also remembers the 1964 Games fondly and hopes the 2020 Olympics will take place - although he thinks they're too expensive.

"It's fun to watch sports, to see all the athletes trying hard in competition," he said. "The smiles on their faces when they win give all of us energy."

. Tokyo, JAPAN. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Yonehara at his restaurant.

For sushi chef Takashi Yonehana, 49, Japan's international reputation is at stake.

"If Japan becomes the first country to cancel the Olympics due to a pandemic, nobody will say it but everyone will think it ... it will damage our image," he said.

. Tokyo, JAPAN. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Sakai visits the Sugamo district.

But pensioner Mirei Sakai, 73, is adamant the Games should be called off.

"The pandemic is a terrible situation all over the world right now. In the middle of this, you'd invite foreigners over here," she said. "I feel sorry for the athletes, but it's unavoidable."

. Tokyo, JAPAN. Reuters/Kim Hong-Ji
Tajima poses for a portrait in a commercial building in a business district.

Businessman Ryutaro Tajima, 36, says nearly everybody around him opposes the Games and the touted economic impact will be low without foreign tourists.

"There might have been an impact by building new stadiums and things, but if they aren't used well going forward it'll be a big waste," he said.

. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Hideo with his five-month-old son Tokio.

Walking past the Olympic stadium, 40-year old Hideo Yoshida says the debate around the major sporting event has made him "uncomfortable".

“Since the postponement, I've been seeing all these disagreements about whether to go forward with the Games or not and some groups saying they'll hold it no matter what," said the bicycle store owner.

"I feel like I've seen the dark side of the Games and the International Olympic Committee."

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Double-dutch rope-jumper KAI, 29, and his team REG STYLE practice at Yoyogi park. "We probably don't need to go out of our way to hold them. But if they could be something that could give lots of people energy and take place in a happy mood, and a good feeling, I think they should definitely take place," said KAI.
. Tokyo, JAPAN. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Double-dutch rope-jumper KAI, 29, and his team REG STYLE practice at Yoyogi park. "We probably don't need to go out of our way to hold them. But if they could be something that could give lots of people energy and take place in a happy mood, and a good feeling, I think they should definitely take place," said KAI.

Shuta Yano, 28, a ball dancer, said: "I'm not an athlete, but I have spent my life mastering special skills, so in that sense I think I understand the athletes. So taking their point of view, I thought it would be good to hold them ... But I've thought about it a lot and my feelings are a bit different now. Yes, they've spent their lives getting to this point. But holding the Olympics now is a situation that might not just change a few lives entirely, but many."
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Shuta Yano, 28, a ball dancer, said: "I'm not an athlete, but I have spent my life mastering special skills, so in that sense I think I understand the athletes. So taking their point of view, I thought it would be good to hold them ... But I've thought about it a lot and my feelings are a bit different now. Yes, they've spent their lives getting to this point. But holding the Olympics now is a situation that might not just change a few lives entirely, but many."

Takashi Kitahara, 35, who works at an investment bank, said: "Only a small percentage of people here have been vaccinated, and so I think under conditions like this, it could be dangerous."
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Takashi Kitahara, 35, who works at an investment bank, said: "Only a small percentage of people here have been vaccinated, and so I think under conditions like this, it could be dangerous."

Kenichi Honda, 57, said: "Everybody around me is worried and I think they're worried more so than necessary. They're holding baseball with spectators, and sumo with spectators; with the necessary steps I think they can probably do it."
. Tokyo, JAPAN. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Kenichi Honda, 57, said: "Everybody around me is worried and I think they're worried more so than necessary. They're holding baseball with spectators, and sumo with spectators; with the necessary steps I think they can probably do it."

Ryu Ishihara, 54, the chef at Takamoto Udong & Soba noodle restaurant, said: "I think the Olympics should be held. I want to watch, hear the results, and cheer because I like sports. But I don't know."
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Ryu Ishihara, 54, the chef at Takamoto Udong & Soba noodle restaurant, said: "I think the Olympics should be held. I want to watch, hear the results, and cheer because I like sports. But I don't know."

Tomoko Shimbo, the owner of Koganeyu Hostel, said: "I think postponing them a year was unavoidable, but I think that many Japanese now live every day with both expectations and worry about whether the Olympics can really be held."
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Tomoko Shimbo, the owner of Koganeyu Hostel, said: "I think postponing them a year was unavoidable, but I think that many Japanese now live every day with both expectations and worry about whether the Olympics can really be held."

Sousei Ajioka, 47, the Urasenke Tea master, said: "Through studying the tea ceremony, the heart of it is everybody sharing and getting along with each other, but that kind of exchange has been cut off by the coronavirus. My honest feeling is that the Olympics, which are one opportunity for these exchanges, are difficult under the current conditions."
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Sousei Ajioka, 47, the Urasenke Tea master, said: "Through studying the tea ceremony, the heart of it is everybody sharing and getting along with each other, but that kind of exchange has been cut off by the coronavirus. My honest feeling is that the Olympics, which are one opportunity for these exchanges, are difficult under the current conditions."

Kazuhiro Miura, 45, the head doctor at Miura Clinic, said: "The biggest (issue to hold the Games) is manpower (of medical staff). We need to send all of our medical resources and manpower to various places. We need people to give (COVID) vaccines and work at the Olympics but in order to do that, we can't stop regular medical examinations at local clinics like mine. If we do, the medical system will collapse so we need to protect hospitals and (local clinics)."
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Kazuhiro Miura, 45, the head doctor at Miura Clinic, said: "The biggest (issue to hold the Games) is manpower (of medical staff). We need to send all of our medical resources and manpower to various places. We need people to give (COVID) vaccines and work at the Olympics but in order to do that, we can't stop regular medical examinations at local clinics like mine. If we do, the medical system will collapse so we need to protect hospitals and (local clinics)."

Nobuaki Moribe, 37, a pet salon owner, said: "The virus is here to stay and people shouldn't give in. I want to watch the activities of people pursuing their goals and dreams."
. Tokyo, JAPAN. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Nobuaki Moribe, 37, a pet salon owner, said: "The virus is here to stay and people shouldn't give in. I want to watch the activities of people pursuing their goals and dreams."

"The Olympic village is only a short walk from where we live," said Tomohiro Hirayama, 37, an office worker. "So from the point of view of those of us who live there, a sense of excitement about the Olympics and a positive feeling have strengthened."
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

"The Olympic village is only a short walk from where we live," said Tomohiro Hirayama, 37, an office worker. "So from the point of view of those of us who live there, a sense of excitement about the Olympics and a positive feeling have strengthened."

Sachie Ohashi, 56, who runs a shop with her husband, that sells 'tabi' (traditional Japanese socks), said: "My husband's 97-year-old father lives with us, and has really been looking forward to the Olympics but given the situation, recently he hasn't talked about them at all. I think there are probably a lot of other people out there who have kept on living to see the Olympics so it would be nice if somehow they could manage to hold them."
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Sachie Ohashi, 56, who runs a shop with her husband, that sells 'tabi' (traditional Japanese socks), said: "My husband's 97-year-old father lives with us, and has really been looking forward to the Olympics but given the situation, recently he hasn't talked about them at all. I think there are probably a lot of other people out there who have kept on living to see the Olympics so it would be nice if somehow they could manage to hold them."

Daisuke Fujii, 40, a chiropractor, said: "Of course there are worries, but no matter what you do you can't completely avoid risks. There's danger with the Olympics but even in regular life you might get sick... Just because it's the Olympics I don't think there's an especially high risk."
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Daisuke Fujii, 40, a chiropractor, said: "Of course there are worries, but no matter what you do you can't completely avoid risks. There's danger with the Olympics but even in regular life you might get sick... Just because it's the Olympics I don't think there's an especially high risk."

Theres Wik, 31, an office worker from Finland who is living in Tokyo, said: "I personally think they should be held for the economy, but when you think about everybody's safety I think they should be cancelled."
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Theres Wik, 31, an office worker from Finland who is living in Tokyo, said: "I personally think they should be held for the economy, but when you think about everybody's safety I think they should be cancelled."