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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks at a news conference in Tokyo today. Abe lifted a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and four other remaining areas, ending the restrictions nationwide.
Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the swift development of vaccines and effective treatments for COVID-19 are priorities towards achieving the Tokyo Olympics next year.
Abe says recovery from the coronavirus pandemic only in Japan would not be enough to hold the Games because it involves spectators and athletes from around the world.
He reiterates that the government hopes to hold the Tokyo Games “in a complete form” with spectators as a proof of human victory against the coronavirus.
Japan and the International Olympic Committee have agreed to postpone the Games by one year to July 2021.
Experts say developing an effective and safe vaccine by the Games next year will be difficult.
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