Japan Press Weekly

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2021 July 7 - 13 [POLITICS]

Global nurses' unions send PM Suga and IOC letter calling for rescheduling of Tokyo Olympics

The Global Nurses United with which nurses' organizations in 34 countries are affiliated on July 9 sent International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide a letter calling for the cancellation or postponement of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

The letter refers to the concern expressed by the Japan Federation of Medical Workers' Unions (Iroren) and the Tokyo Medical Association about a possibility that a breakdown in hospital care could occur if the Olympic Games take place. The letter points out that the Olympic Games would further spread infections around the world and would bring about a serious threat to "the health and safety of the residents of Japan, the thousands of athletes, and support personnel from the participating nations, and the residents of their home countries upon their return home". The letter concludes, "Holding the Games at this moment in the global pandemic would run counter to the goal of the Olympic Movement to 'building a peaceful and better world'."

The letter was signed by leaders of nurses' unions in 21 countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, India, South Korea, Italy, and Greece as well as Iroren Chair Morita Shinobu.