The Japanese Olympic Committee's head of accounting died on Monday after allegedly jumping in front of a train at the Nakanobu Station in Tokyo.
The death of Yasushi Moriya, 52, is being investigated as a suspected suicide. NikkeiAsia said witnesses saw the man jump off the platform and towards the oncoming Toei Asakusa Line subway train. According to Kyodo news, this incident occurred at around 9.20 am.
Only a month remains until the opening of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, after the event was delayed by a year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to proceed with the Games despite devastating second, third and fourth waves of coronavirus striking across the world has been controversial, with a recent opinion poll showing that only half of Japnese people surveyed felt the Games should go ahead.
Tokyo Olympic officials have been adamant that the Games continue, ruling out another postponement or a cancellation. Japan has recorded over 760,000 cases of COVID-19 and over 13,000 deaths.
Prefectures near and around the planned venues have already made moves to mitigate its possible impact: The Saitama prefecture has cancelled public Olympic-viewing events, as has Tokyo for eviewings in Yoyogi Park.
Japan plans to vaccinate 95 per cent of its Olympic athletes, around 600, along with 1,000 coaches and support staff.