<p>More than 80 per cent of Japanese oppose hosting the virus-postponed Olympics this year, a new poll published Monday showed, less than 10 weeks before the Tokyo Games.</p>.<p>The latest survey comes after Japan expanded a coronavirus state of emergency Friday as the nation battles a fourth wave of virus infections.</p>.<p>The surge has put pressure on the country's healthcare system, with medical professionals repeatedly warning about shortages and burnout.</p>.<p>The weekend survey by the <em>Asahi Shimbun</em> daily found 43 per cent of respondents want the 2020 Games cancelled, and 40 per cent want a further postponement.</p>.<p>Those figures are up from 35 per cent who backed cancellation in a survey by the paper a month ago, and 34 per cent who wanted a further delay.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/sports-events-being-cancelled-sad-for-sportspersons-but-good-for-people-sindhu-986495.html" target="_blank">Sports events being cancelled sad for sportspersons but good for people: Sindhu</a></strong></p>.<p>Only 14 per cent support holding the Games this summer as scheduled, down from 28 per cent, according to the poll of 1,527 replies from 3,191 telephone calls.</p>.<p>If the Games do go ahead, 59 per cent of respondents said they want no spectators, with 33 per cent backing lower fan numbers and three per cent a regular capacity Games.</p>.<p>For months, polling has found a majority in Japan oppose holding the Games this summer.</p>.<p>A separate poll by Kyodo News published Sunday showed 59.7 per cent back cancellation, though further postponement was not listed as an option.</p>.<p>Olympic organisers says tough anti-virus measures, including regular testing of athletes and a ban on overseas fans, will keep the Games safe.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/japan-expands-covid-19-emergency-ahead-of-tokyo-olympics-985935.html" target="_blank">Japan expands Covid-19 emergency ahead of Tokyo Olympics</a></strong></p>.<p>But the Kyodo poll found 87.7 per cent of respondents worry that an influx of athletes and staff members from abroad may spread the virus.</p>.<p>Asked about the polls, government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said the government would "make efforts so that the Japanese people understand the Tokyo Games will be held in a safe and secure manner".</p>.<p>"We need to give explanations on details of the concrete (coronavirus) measures," he said, insisting that the Games would not put further pressure on medical services.</p>.<p>Japan has seen a smaller virus outbreak than many countries, with fewer than 11,500 deaths so far. But the government has come under pressure for a comparatively slow vaccine rollout.</p>.<p>The Kyodo poll found 85 per cent of respondents considered the rollout slow, with 71.5 per cent unhappy with the government's handling of the pandemic.</p>
<p>More than 80 per cent of Japanese oppose hosting the virus-postponed Olympics this year, a new poll published Monday showed, less than 10 weeks before the Tokyo Games.</p>.<p>The latest survey comes after Japan expanded a coronavirus state of emergency Friday as the nation battles a fourth wave of virus infections.</p>.<p>The surge has put pressure on the country's healthcare system, with medical professionals repeatedly warning about shortages and burnout.</p>.<p>The weekend survey by the <em>Asahi Shimbun</em> daily found 43 per cent of respondents want the 2020 Games cancelled, and 40 per cent want a further postponement.</p>.<p>Those figures are up from 35 per cent who backed cancellation in a survey by the paper a month ago, and 34 per cent who wanted a further delay.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/sports-events-being-cancelled-sad-for-sportspersons-but-good-for-people-sindhu-986495.html" target="_blank">Sports events being cancelled sad for sportspersons but good for people: Sindhu</a></strong></p>.<p>Only 14 per cent support holding the Games this summer as scheduled, down from 28 per cent, according to the poll of 1,527 replies from 3,191 telephone calls.</p>.<p>If the Games do go ahead, 59 per cent of respondents said they want no spectators, with 33 per cent backing lower fan numbers and three per cent a regular capacity Games.</p>.<p>For months, polling has found a majority in Japan oppose holding the Games this summer.</p>.<p>A separate poll by Kyodo News published Sunday showed 59.7 per cent back cancellation, though further postponement was not listed as an option.</p>.<p>Olympic organisers says tough anti-virus measures, including regular testing of athletes and a ban on overseas fans, will keep the Games safe.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/japan-expands-covid-19-emergency-ahead-of-tokyo-olympics-985935.html" target="_blank">Japan expands Covid-19 emergency ahead of Tokyo Olympics</a></strong></p>.<p>But the Kyodo poll found 87.7 per cent of respondents worry that an influx of athletes and staff members from abroad may spread the virus.</p>.<p>Asked about the polls, government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said the government would "make efforts so that the Japanese people understand the Tokyo Games will be held in a safe and secure manner".</p>.<p>"We need to give explanations on details of the concrete (coronavirus) measures," he said, insisting that the Games would not put further pressure on medical services.</p>.<p>Japan has seen a smaller virus outbreak than many countries, with fewer than 11,500 deaths so far. But the government has come under pressure for a comparatively slow vaccine rollout.</p>.<p>The Kyodo poll found 85 per cent of respondents considered the rollout slow, with 71.5 per cent unhappy with the government's handling of the pandemic.</p>