Japan says Olympic preparations underway as planned

Japan is preparing to host the Tokyo Summer Olympics as planned, the government's top spokesman said on Wednesday, amid speculation the Games could be postponed because of the coronavirus threat. The Chief Cabinet Secretary made the comment at a regular news conference. The government will closely cooperate with the IOC, Olympic Committee, and the Tokyo office to continue preparations to host the Games, he said.

The Olympic Minister had said on Tuesday that Tokyo's contract with the International Olympic Committee could be interpreted as allowing a postponement until the end of the year, although she reiterated that the government remained committed to the Games starting on July 24.