Dear Friends,
I am sending you my message addressed to President Thomas Bach of the IOC.
With warmest regards,
Mitsuhei Murata
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Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 9:41 PM
Subject: Covid-19 crisis worsening in Japan
Dear President Thomas Bach,
In addition to the attached messages I have already sent you, please allow me to inform you of the press conference of Prime Minister Suga that took place this evening in which he confirmed the extension of the State of emergency to 7 prefectures to cope with the threatening Covid-19 infections beyond control.
The collapse of the medical system is now a reality.
A member of parliament, and former minister, Yuichiro Hata, has recently passed away before receiving PCR tests. More than 7 thousand Covid-19 patients are made to wait for hospitalization as of today.
The latest survey of the public opinion shows less than 20 % support the holding
of the Tokyo Olympic Games next summer.
Last but not least, the Declaration of the State of Emmergency issued after the
Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 still remains valid !
With highest regards,
Mitsuhei Murata
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Sent: Friday, January 8, 2021 8:35 PM
Subject: Covid-19 crisis worsening in Japan
Dear President Thomas Bach,
Please allow me to send you an article published by “Nikkan Gendai” dated January 9,
criticizing the remark of a Canadian member of the IOC, Mr. Dick Pound to the effect
that priority should be given to Olympic athletes regarding Covid-19 vaccination.
The term “madness” is used in the headline.
The collapse of the medical system has started in Japan. Under such circumstances,
the article points out that the expected mobilization of needed 5000 medical staff is impossible.
The state of emergency declared yesterday is widely considered as lenient and
experts are almost unanimous to expect the prolongation of the measure beyond
February 7.
With warmest regards,
Mitsuhei Murata
Former Japanese Ambassador to Switzerland
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Sent: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 8:54 PM
Subject: The state of emergency declared in Japan
Dear President Thomas Bach,
Press commentators are now almost unanimous to attribute the abnormally low level of PCR tests in Japan to the decision of postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games in February last year during your visit to Japan.
They also consider the decision of its cancellation will be a fatal blow for the Government.
The Covid-19 crisis is so seriously worsening that the state of emergency will be declared tomorrow.
Experts fear it could last for months. The budgetary burden it implies is colossal.
Under such circumstances, Japanese civil society believes that the Tokyo Olympic Games is out of the question.
Please excuse me for sending you this candid point of view.
I wish to confirm again that I firmly believe in the spirit of the Olympic Games.
With highest regards,
Mitsuhei Murata
Former Japanese Ambassador
