VOA慢速英语:日本官员称奥运会仍有可能被取消

A top ruling party official in Japan said Thursday it is still possible that the Tokyo Olympics could be canceled.

The comment came from Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. He spoke to broadcaster TBS as COVID-19 cases have been rising across Japan.

"If it seems impossible to go on with the games, they must be definitely canceled," Nikai said. "If there is a surge in infections because of the Olympics, there will be no meaning to having the Olympics."

However, Nikai added that he felt it was important for Japan to keep working to put on a successful Olympic Games. "It is a big opportunity. I want to make it a success," he said. "We will have many issues to resolve and prepare, and it is important to take care of them one by one."

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in a statement there was "no change to the government position to do everything to achieve a safe and secure Olympics."

Tokyo organizers said they -- together with officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) -- "are fully focused on hosting the games this summer."

The recent rise in COVID-19 cases included 729 new cases in Tokyo on Thursday, the most since early February. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike urged people in the city to take extra protections and asked people from outside Tokyo not to visit.

Tokyo, Osaka and several other areas began new anti-virus restrictions this month. The measures limited operating hours for restaurants and drinking establishments. Local media reported other areas were likely to put new restrictions in place as well.

Some experts have warned that a new COVID-19 version, or variant, might replace the current virus and cause an explosion of infections by early May.

Another Japanese official told a local television station that if the Tokyo Olympics do go forward, the events may be held with no fans. "I think the question is how to do the Olympics in a way that is possible in this situation," said Taro Kono. He is the government minister in charge of Japan's vaccination efforts. "That may mean there will probably be no spectators."

The delayed Tokyo Olympics are set to open on July 23, with the Paralympics to follow on August 24. Fans from outside Japan have already been banned. Now even Japanese attendees could be kept away.

Tokyo organizers have said they expect to announce a decision this month on the number of fans permitted at each event.

I'm Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press and Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

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