Japan New Premier Promises ‘Strong Commitment’ To Olympics

Japan’s new Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, has told the president of the Interna­tional Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, that he is behind next year’s delayed Tokyo Games.

Yoshiro Mori, the head of the local organizing commit­tee and also a former prime minister, said Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has a “strong commitment” to the Tokyo Olympics.

Mori said that was the mes­sage he conveyed on a call to IOC president Thomas Bach.

“Mr. Bach was very pleased when he heard this,” Mori said, speaking Thursday at the organizing committee of­fices. “He said he wanted to fly over immediately and thank Mr. Suga for that.”

Tokyo organizers say the Games will open on July 23, 2021, despite the coronavirus pandemic, but they have given few details about exactly how, and at what added costs.