The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics Organizing Committee said Friday it will meet online with officials from Japan's and Tokyo's governments as well as the International Olympic and Paralympic committees on Saturday over whether to accept overseas spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials with knowledge of the planning said earlier that the Japanese government has already decided that welcoming spectators from abroad is not possible, given public concern over the spread of the coronavirus and the emergence of more contagious variants in many countries.
The meeting will be attended by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons, Tokyo organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and Japan's Olympic minister Tamayo Marukawa.
"When we think of the need to provide arrangements to accept (overseas spectators) and also of people who have been preparing public transport and places to stay, a fast decision is expected from us," Hashimoto said during Friday's press conference.
"Immigration (policy) is up to the government, but in the end it will be set based on discussion between the five parties and their approval."
The meeting is also set to include the refunding of tickets sold to overseas purchasers.
