Yoshihide Suga assumed office on 16 September 2020 and has repeatedly stated that he wants to hold the Olympic Games amid the COVID-19 pandemic with all precautionary measures taken.
The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo were scheduled to be held this summer, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the International Olympic Committee to postpone it for a year.
© AP Photo / Carl CourtJapan's new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's official residence Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. Suga, who was elected on Wednesday after gaining support for his pledges to pursue his predecessor Shinzo Abe's policies formed his 20-member Cabinet that retains many familiar faces, signaling continuation of Abe's line.
Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's official residence Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. Suga, who was elected on Wednesday after gaining support for his pledges to pursue his predecessor Shinzo Abe's policies formed his 20-member Cabinet that retains many familiar faces, signaling continuation of Abe's line.
© AP Photo / Carl Court
A new date for the start of the Tokyo Olympics has been set for 23 July 2021. The event is expected to be one of the largest as it will host 10,000 athletes, in a packed programme that includes 33 sports, 50 disciplines and 339 events.