Japan to possibly ease COVID-19 restrictions before Olympics

Japan is considering easing COVID-19 restrictions a little over a month before the Olympics are set to begin. 

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is anticipated to not reinstate the state of emergency that has been set in multiple areas of the country, including Tokyo, when it expires on Sunday, The Associated Press reported.

The state of emergency has been in place in Tokyo and other cities since April, with the declaration having been extended twice, according to the AP.

Although coronavirus case rates are going down, many in the country are still against holding the Olympics and are concerned easing restrictions will result in a new spike in cases. 

Japan has also had a slow vaccination rollout, with only 5.6 percent of its population receiving vaccine doses so far, the AP noted. 

President Biden reaffirmed his support of Japan hosting the Olympics this summer with appropriate health precautions.

The Olympics were canceled last summer due to the pandemic, but many countries have begun opening up this year due to the availability of vaccines.

The Olympics are set to start on July 23. 

Foreign fans have been forbidden from attending the games in person in order to limit the amount of travel to the country, although thousands will still come as athletes, family members, trainers and media.