Japan to let Olympic athletes in as early as March

70,000 to 80,000 arrivals expected through the program

20210226N Olympians

Athletes from South Sudan train in Maebashi, north of Tokyo, in preparation for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. © Reuters

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japan plans to remove the entry ban on foreign athletes participating in the Tokyo Olympics soon after the country's emergency declaration order is lifted next month, Nikkei has learned.

With the July 23 opening ceremony less than five months away, and trial matches for wheelchair rugby and other sports due to begin in April, letting athletes into the country has become imperative. The emergency declaration is slated to be lifted March 7 for all regions, and the travel ban on foreign athletes will be removed soon after.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.