Akita Gov. Norihisa Satake is seen during an online meeting of the National Governors' Association at the Akita Prefectural Government headquarters in the city of Akita on July 11, 2021. (Mainichi/Hiroshi Takano)

       AKITA -- The governor of Akita Prefecture in northeast Japan stated that all venues for the Tokyo Olympic Games should have no spectators during an online meeting of the National Governors' Association on July 11.

       Akita Gov. Norihisa Satake made the remark while taking into account that general spectators will be allowed to enter venues in Miyagi Prefecture, also in northeastern Japan, and the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka. In response to this, Miyagi Gov. Yoshihiro Murai expressed his opposition by saying, "Preparations have already begun, so that would lead to confusion."

       The Tokyo Games are planned to be held while allowing spectators into a soccer venue in Miyagi Prefecture and for cycling events in Shizuoka Prefecture. Touching on Miyagi Gov. Murai's comment on July 10, which asked spectators to "go straight to the venue and return straight home" as a countermeasure against coronavirus infections, Akita Gov. Satake said, "People will certainly eat meals if they go watch events. Isn't it best to simply have all competitions held without any spectators?"

       Meanwhile, Gov. Murai raised his objection, saying, "It's been decided that Miyagi Prefecture will host Olympic events with spectators." He added, "I'd like to ask the governors' association to not make proposals to hold no-spectator events in all prefectures."

       Following the online meeting, Gov. Satake said, "I suppose many people from the greater Tokyo area bought tickets, in spite of the spectator cap imposed," and explained, "It is unjustifiable to claim that spectators coming from Tokyo, which is to be placed under a state of emergency, and other places are making trips that are 'necessary' and 'essential.'"

       The Akita governor also said that he will call on prefectural residents to refrain from watching Olympic events at venues.

       (Japanese original by Hiroshi Takano, Akita Bureau)

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