Tokyo Olympics

Tokyo organizers on Saturday announced that foreign spectators will be barred from attending this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games due to concerns over COVID-19.

Hiroshi Sasaki resigned as the director of the opening and closing Olympic ceremonies after it was revealed that he had suggested that a female comedian should appear as an "Olympig."

Advocates hope the decision will set a precedent for marriage equality lawsuits now pending across the country, and help pave the way for same-sex marriage in Japan — the only G-7 nation without it.

Despite the efforts of Japanese and Olympic officials to quash the debate, pressure on the Games' organizing chief is mounting over his recent comments that women talk too much in board meetings.

Officials are swatting away rumors and reports that the government has concluded that new coronavirus restrictions will force the cancellation of the already delayed games.

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announces new voluntary restrictions amid alarm at rapidly increasing coronavirus case numbers.

In the past week, multiple Japanese organizers and International Olympic Committee officials have said that the Tokyo Games will proceed regardless of the state of the COVID-19 pandemic.