Apr 26, 2021 - Sports
Japan declares COVID emergency with less than 100 days until Olympics
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With 88 days until the Tokyo Olympics, a "fourth wave" of the pandemic has hit Japan.
Driving the news: Bars, department stores and theaters across Japan will remain closed for 17 days, after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a state of emergency for Tokyo and three other prefectures.
- A senior member of Japan's ruling party recently questioned Tokyo's ability to host the Games and said cancellation is still an option.
- The Olympic torch relay has been detoured several times since it began on March 25 and will be banned altogether this weekend.
The state of play: The surge in infections and Olympics concerns have put a spotlight on Japan's lagging vaccine rollout.
- As of last week, Japan had administered just over 2 million vaccine shots, which is roughly 1% of its population, per Forbes.
- The U.S., by comparison, has administered nearly 230 million shots, enough for 42% of Americans to get one dose.
What's next: Tokyo organizers and the IOC will unveil a new "playbook" this week, explaining how the Olympics and Paralympics will safely welcome 15,400 athletes, AP reports.
