Published on Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Japan will admit 'large-scale' crowds at Tokyo Olympics

Japan will allow 'large-scale' numbers of spectators at the Tokyo Olympic Games - even without a Covid vaccination or mandatory quarantine.

They must have a negative test result and download a smartphone tracking app on arrival, according to a Nikkei business daily report, citing an unnamed source.

Around one million tickets have been sold to international sports fans, and more than four million to Japanese residents.

International Olympic Committee official Joan Coates said the number of competing athletes will be reduced.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has repeatedly pledged to host the Games and have tourism and open borders up and running before then.

However, he has been criticised for allowing the 'Go To Travel' domestic subsidised travel program to continue even as many cities have been experiencing a surge in Covid cases.

Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor