TOKYO >> Since a fourth state of emergency was issued for Tokyo on July 12 and a decision made to hold Olympic events in Tokyo without spectators, hotels are scrambling.

One hotel in Ariake, near venues for events such as gymnastics, volleyball and tennis, had booked about 70% of its rooms for the Games. Now all those reservations are canceled.

“Considering the rise in infection numbers, it can’t be helped,” said a hotel official. “But we’re still despondent.”

At a hotel in Asakusa, guest numbers had plummeted during the pandemic, and the hotel slashed its rates by more than half to draw people back. With summer vacation season approaching, reservations had been on the rise.

But earlier this month the hotel saw 20 cancellations.

The hotel manager seemed at a loss, saying, “I can’t imagine how many more cancellations there will be.”