Nearly 60% of Japanese citizens are in favour of cancelling the Tokyo-hosted Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer over COVID-19, a public opinion poll by Japan's Kyodo news agency showed on Sunday.
Only 12.6% of respondents spoke in favour of holding the Games, but with a limited number of spectators, while 25.2% preferred stands completely empty.
A similar Kyodo poll from 7-9 May had 59% of respondents speak in favour of cancelling the Olympics.
The fresh survey was conducted from May 15-16. Information on the sample size and the margin of error was not released. It is noted that this time respondents were not given the option to say that the government "should move the event."
The Japanese public is largely opposed to hosting the Olympic Games this summer due to low vaccination rates, a surge in the number of new COVID-19 cases and shortages of hospital beds.
In Osaka, one of the most affected cities, with the infection rate from 800-1000 people per day, hospitals have been unable to accommodate all patients in serious or moderate conditions. Over the past several weeks, more than 90% of all 356 hospital beds available in COVID-19 intensive care units have been constantly occupied. Mortality rates grew, too.
Despite public opposition, Tokyo held a ceremony on Sunday to mark the 100-day countdown to the start of the Paralympic Games, during which the organizers advocated "successful and safe games."
