Tokyo Paralympics open as Japan struggles to curb COVID surge

Official says Games will be held under 'very difficult circumstances'

20210824 The cauldron is lit during the opening ceremony

Japanese athletes light the Paralympic cauldron on Aug. 24. (Photo by Karina Nooka)

RURIKA IMAHASHI and FRANCESCA REGALADO, Nikkei staff writer

August 24, 2021 15:01 JST

Updated on August 24, 2021 23:53 JST

TOKYO -- The Tokyo Paralympic Games kicked off on Tuesday evening under "very difficult circumstances" as the Japanese capital struggles with a record surge in COVID-19 cases.

As with the Olympics, the opening ceremony was held in a virtually empty National Stadium. Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto and International Paralympic Committee chief Andrew Parsons delivered speeches highlighting what these Games are meant to represent.