US warns against travel to Japan; Tokyo says no impact on Olympics

American Olympic committee has little effect on whether it send athletes

The show must go on: Tokyo can still safely host the Summer Games this year even if pandemic emergency measures remain in place, International Olympic Committee Vice President John Coates insists. © Reuters

Nikkei staff writers

May 25, 2021 02:04 JST

Updated on May 25, 2021 13:16 JST

TOKYO -- The U.S. on Monday warned against all travel to Japan, noting "a very high level of COVID-19 in the country" less than two months before the long-delayed Summer Olympics are to open here.

The State Department raised its advisory from Level 3, or "reconsider travel," to Level 4, or "do not travel" -- its highest for overseas trips. Sri Lanka's advisory was also raised to Level 4.