Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga attends a meeting in Tokyo on Feb. 10, 2021. (Mainichi)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Tokyo Olympics could be held without spectators depending on the COVID-19 situation in Japan, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reiterated Thursday, while the government has begun considering a reduction in the number of people allowed in stadiums, amid growing concern that the games may trigger a surge in infections.

       The remarks came as the Japanese government appeared to have no choice but to extend a quasi-state of emergency covering the capital and three adjacent prefectures that is set to expire on July 11.

       "I've said before there is a possibility of there being no spectators," Suga told reporters. "In any case, we will act with the safety and security of the Japanese people as our top priority."

       As a recent rebound in COVID-19 cases in the capital could force organizers to further reduce the number of spectators, Japan is considering delaying the announcement of fresh lottery results for Olympic tickets, a government official with knowledge of the matter said.

       The organizing committee has said it will hold a fresh ticket lottery and release the results next Tuesday, after deciding last month to fill venues up to 50 percent of capacity with an upper limit of 10,000 people, as part of measures to enhance the safety of the Olympics due to begin on July 23.

       Tokyo has been experiencing a surge in infections since a coronavirus state of emergency was lifted last month, fueling uncertainty over whether it is possible to stage the Olympics with that many fans.

       The Tokyo metropolitan government reported 673 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, a day after its daily figure topped 700 for the first time since May 26.

       Suga said any new decision on how to deal with local fans at venues will be made by consensus among the five organizers of the games, which include the Japanese and metropolitan governments, and the International Olympic Committee.

       The current attendance cap is contingent on the capital and other prefectures where the Olympics will be held exiting the quasi-state of emergency before the opening of the games.

       They already decided in March to bar overseas spectators from the Olympics and Paralympics.

       Many in Japan remain worried about having fans at the Tokyo Games, with about 40 percent of respondents in a Kyodo News poll last month saying the stands should remain empty.

       Suga's top COVID-19 adviser, Shigeru Omi, and other infectious disease experts have also said holding the games without spectators is the "safest option."

       Suga's remarks on Thursday came in response to a reporter's question about comments made by the leader of Komeito, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's junior coalition partner, who said holding the Olympics without spectators should remain an option.

       "I've said we need to be on the lookout for a rebound in infections, and that's exactly what we are seeing now," Natsuo Yamaguchi told reporters. "I hope the government will remain open to the possibility of there being no spectators and inform the public of any decisions in a timely manner."

       The central government should decide whether to extend the quasi-state of emergency after consulting with experts, Yamaguchi said.

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