Summer Olympics Jul 19, 2021
Uncertain Olympic future for baseball and softball, despite Tokyo events
by Jason Coskrey
While Japan opted to include the sports, fans will have to wait until at least 2028 for another appearance at the Games.
National Jul 17, 2021
IOC aware of Japan skepticism over Olympics but hopes home success will shift mood
"We ask and invite the Japanese people, humbly, to welcome and support the athletes from around the world," IOC President Thomas Bach said.
National Jul 16, 2021
IOC's Bach visits Hiroshima amid protests in bid to promote peace
Some survivors of the city's 1945 atomic bombing and local citizens said the visit was politically motivated.
Commentary / World Jul 16, 2021
by Takatoshi Ito
Whatever happens this summer, Prime Minister Suga will face a party leadership election in September, and then a general election before the end of the full term in October.
National / Science & Health Jul 15, 2021
Risk of COVID-19 spread due to Olympics is 'zero,' IOC chief says, amid rising cases
Critics of the plan to hold the Tokyo Olympics submitted a petition on Thursday that has garnered more than 450,000 signatures this month.
National Jul 15, 2021
IOC president's Hiroshima visit fuels speculation about his true intent
by Eric Johnston
A trip that's officially being made to send a message of peace has instead stirred controversy amid the pandemic and raised questions about Thomas Bach's real purpose.
National Jul 14, 2021
Olympics boss Bach aims to put ‘most-followed’ games on track
by Jon Herskovitz
The stakes are enormous for Suga, whose political fortunes are closely tied to the games, and for the IOC, which faces scrutiny on whether it is prioritizing money over public health.
National Jul 14, 2021
Jean-Loup Chappelet, a professor of public management, says the issues that have dogged the run-up to the Olympics will affect future iterations of the games.
National Jul 14, 2021
IOC's Bach says Tokyo Olympic cancellation not option despite COVID-19
by Ayano Shimizu
The head of the International Olympic Committee said going ahead with the games this summer was decided in the interest of athletes preparing for the games for many years.
National Jul 14, 2021
IOC chief Thomas Bach to visit Hiroshima despite calls for cancellation
Civic groups argue that the visit is politically motivated — taking advantage of a city that promotes world peace and thus "dishonoring" survivors of the bombing.
National Jul 13, 2021
Jill Biden will attend Tokyo Olympic ceremony, White House says
First lady Jill Biden will travel to Japan to attend the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on July 23, the White House announced Tuesday, making it the first time since 2012 that the wife of a U.S. president will lead the U.S. delegation ...
Commentary / Japan Jul 12, 2021
The Tokyo Games will go on despite COVID-19
by Bill Emmott
Ultimately, it will not be a COVID-19 crisis in Japan that determines the fate of the Tokyo Olympics, because there is no such crisis.