BREAKING NEWS – Tokyo Japan – Japan’s Olympics minister confirmed that spectators will not be allowed in Olympic venues in the capital. This follows a decision from Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to place the host city of Tokyo in a fourth state of emergency to curb a rise in COVID-19 infections. Under the new restrictions, which will start on July 12 and run until August 22, bars and restaurants will be asked.

“The motive for my decision is two-fold,” explained Suga. “The first one is, my concern for the spectators. I cannot with a clear conscience allow people to go back to their countries and spread this horrible virus. And the other reason is, I don’t want spectators from all over the globe coming to Tokyo, and laughing at the Japanese athletes when they don’t win a single medal in any event.”