Fukishima nuclear power plant reactor explosion on this date in 2011. The explosion followed severe damage from the tsunami that hit it a few days prior.
Shinzo Abe says Japan is continuing to “coordinate well” with the International Olympic Committee, adding: "We have to overcome the spread of the infection and want to hold the Olympics and Paralympics as planned.”
The Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from July 24-Aug. 9, and the Paralympics Aug. 25-Sept. 6.
The Tokyo governor, Yuriko Koike, promised thorough measures against the coronavirus outbreak and said preparations for a safe and secure Games were progressing. Greece’s Olympic Committee cancelled the remainder of the torch relay through the country on Friday to avoid attracting crowds. The relay through Japan is scheduled to start on 26 March. Japan recorded 21 new coronavirus cases as of Saturday, bringing the total 1,443. Twenty-eight people have died, the public broadcaster NHK reported. The total number of infections include 697 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and 14 returnees on chartered flights from China, according to NHK. Japan’s fatalities also included those from the ship.