Japan committed to hosting Olympics even as virus spreads

Japan reiterated its decision to host the Olympics in July despite the number of coronavirus cases in the country rising to 1,036.

"Cancellation or delay of the Games would be unacceptable for the athletes," Japan's Olympics minister Seiko Hashimoto said in parliament on Thursday. "An environment where athletes can feel at ease and focus should be firmly prepared."

She reiterated the final decision on holding the games will rest with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

It comes a day after the Japanese Rugby Football Union on Wednesday cancelled next month's Asia Sevens Invitational over coronavirus fears.

Japan's western prefecture of Shiga reported its first coronavirus infection on Thursday, with 12 deaths so far.