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Opinion

The Olympics are here but at what cost to Japan's reputation?

Tokyo has overplayed its cultural exceptionalism hand from the start

| Japan
Illuminated Olympic rings, pictured in Yokohama on July 9: Japan chose the homegrown approach.   © Sipa/AP

Dr. Nancy Snow is Pax Mundi (World Peace) Professor of Public Diplomacy at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies.

At this point, there seems to be no reversing the arrival to Tokyo of tens of thousands associated with the Olympics and Paralympics. All spectators are now banned, creating yet another level of access absurdity at the prospect of broadcast media showcasing empty stadiums and arenas but for the VIPs and sponsors in attendance to cheer on the athletes.

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