People gather outside the National Stadium during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Aug. 8, 2021. The ceremony was held without spectators from the general public amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by= Kyodo) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Saturday hailed this summer's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics as a success, saying in a speech at the U.N. General Assembly that the host country "achieved what we set out to do" despite the pressures of a public that was divided over holding the games during the pandemic, Kyodo reported. In a prerecorded video message, Suga also highlighted the importance of realizing a "free and open Indo-Pacific" amid challenges such as China's growing assertiveness in regional waters and North Korea's recent missile launches.
The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics went ahead following a one-year postponement amid surging COVID-19 cases in the capital, a move criticized by many as contradicting the government's request for people and businesses to comply with restrictions. "While there were various views about holding the games this summer, we, as the host country of the games, fulfilled our responsibilities and achieved what we set out to do," Suga said.
The speech came as Suga was in Washington for a summit with Australia, India and the United States, his final overseas trip before stepping down as prime minister next month. The countries, including Japan, known as the Quad, are stepping up cooperation to counter China's military and economic influence.