Why are the Tokyo Olympics still going ahead in a pandemic? w/ Motoko Rich

Episode 89,   Apr 02, 2021, 10:00 AM

Despite the ongoing pandemic and a lack of vaccinations in Japan, the Olympics are scheduled to begin on July 23, 2021.

With medical experts worried that the Olympics will turn into a superspreader event, polls show that the Japanese public is overwhelmingly not on board with the Games. Yet things are going full steam ahead, with test events taking place, athletes arriving and the torch relay beginning last week. 

Joining Deep Dive is the New York Times Tokyo bureau chief Motoko Rich, here to discuss why the government seems so intent on holding the Games this summer, and the risks associated with them going ahead as planned.

Read more: 

On this episode:
Motoko Rich: Twitter | Articles
Oscar Boyd: Twitter | Articles | Instagram

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Photo: The Olympic rings are reinstalled at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo on Dec. 1, 2020. | REUTERS