Although Japan has not had large breakouts throughout the pandemic, the vaccine rollout has not moved as quickly as some other countries. Hosting the Olympics is a multi-billion dollar operation and having fans in the arena will help subsidize some of those costs.
The Tokyo Olympic Games, postponed from July 2020 to July 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will include a few rules never seen before at the event. International visitors will not be allowed, shouting will be prohibited, and event-goers will have to wear masks. Guests will also be asked to travel only to and from the venues and their homes.
“I am concerned not just about the increase in the number of people coming to watch the Olympics itself but also about the loosening of people’s sense of urgency by hosting the Olympics with spectators,” Haruka Sakamoto, a physician and researcher at Keio University, told Reuters before the decision was made. 