May 29, 2021 - Sports

Japan extends coronavirus state of emergency weeks before Summer Olympics

Jacob Knutson

People wearing face masks while crossing a street in Tokyo on May 28. Photo: Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images

Japan on Friday extended a state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas of the country through at least June 20 in response to rising coronavirus cases, Reuters reports.

Why it matters: The country is set to host the 2020 Summer Olympics in July, though many, including doctors associations, scientists and high-profile business executives, have called for the games to be canceled to avoid a larger outbreak.

Context: Some international scientists said that cancelling the games would be the "safest option."

Some doctors fear that Japan's health system may be unable to accommodate the international teams' medical needs as medical professionals respond to new domestic cases.
The state of emergency had previously been scheduled to end on May 31.

By the numbers: Japan currently has more than 62,000 active cases, 2% of which are in critical condition.

The big picture: International Olympic Committee Vice President John Coates said last week that the games will begin even if Tokyo or other parts of Japan are under a COVID-19 state of emergency.

Coates added the IOC has a mitigation plan to help prevent transmissions, though scientists have warned that it emphasizes ineffective techniques, like temperature checks and contact tracing apps.

Go deeper: Japan's 11th hour COVID Olympics nightmare

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Japan extends coronavirus state of emergency weeks before Summer Olympics

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