logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2021
24m 31s

What the Japanese Think of the Olympics

The New York Times
About this episode

After last year’s postponement, both the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government are determined that the Tokyo Games will take place this summer.

But the public in Japan appears unconvinced: About 85 percent of people say they fear that the Olympics will cause a rebound of the virus in the country.

Will the sense of discontent fade as the Games begin?

Guest: Motoko Rich, the Tokyo bureau chief for The New York Times.

Sign up here to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, subscribe to our newsletter

Background reading: 

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily

Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Up next
Yesterday
‘Modern Love’: Bridget Everett Says A Best Friend Can Be Your Greatest Love
Stories of romantic love are everywhere, but the actor, singer and comedian Bridget Everett says that friendships deserve our attention, too. Onscreen and in everyday life.Last Fall, Everett appeared on Modern Love to talk about her HBO Original series “Somebody Somewhere,” which ... Show More
38m 49s
Aug 23
'The Interview': Jen Hatmaker's Life Exploded in Middle Age. So She Built a Better One.
The former evangelical star on waking up halfway through her life. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 
45m 43s
Aug 22
California Strikes Back at Texas’ Power Grab
Texas is about to gerrymander five new house seats, and California is ready to retaliate. Gov. Gavin Newsom says that his state will also redraw its congressional maps to create five new districts, effectively fighting fire with fire.Laurel Rosenhall, who covers California’s gove ... Show More
28m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2021
The Tokyo Olympics: Are the games in jeopardy?
As athletes and competitors all over the world prepare to descend on Tokyo, locals don't seem to want them to come. With just weeks to go, will the Olympics happen? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today ... Show More
32m 6s
Jul 2021
Will the Tokyo Olympics pay off?
Japanese businesses are struggling with the lack of tourists during the Tokyo Olympics. Despite delaying the games by a year, the authorities have still been forced to hold the games without spectators, as Covid cases rise. Seijiro Takeshita at the University of Shizuoka explains ... Show More
17m 27s
Mar 2021
Should the Games Go On?
We’re just months away from the start of the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics. The games were supposed to showcase Japan’s recovery from the deadly Fukushima earthquake but things have not gone according to plan. In today’s episode, CNN International Correspondent Selina Wang explains  ... Show More
15m 23s
Jul 2021
The Olympics: Tokyo’s unwelcome guest
Tokyo 2020 is forging ahead inside a host city effectively locked out of its own event. CBC senior correspondent Adrienne Arsenault brings us the view from Tokyo, where rising COVID-19 cases, a state of emergency and brewing resentment toward the International Olympic Committee i ... Show More
20m 54s
Mar 2020
As Pressure Mounts, Olympics Postpone
(Note: A few hours after we published this episode, Japan and the IOC announced that the Olympics will, in fact, be postponed until 2021.)Yesterday, a member of the International Olympic Committee told a reporter that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be postponed until next year. Thi ... Show More
21m 42s
Jul 2021
COVID, protest, racism: The 'no-fun Olympics'
COVID-19, racism, anti-semitism and a crackdown on protest — all dark clouds hanging over this year’s Olympic games in Tokyo. The International Olympic Committee made a huge gamble in postponing the event to 2021. Has it paid off? In this episode: Jules Boykoff (@julesboykoff), p ... Show More
21m 46s
Jul 2021
How’s Africa doing at the Olympics?
The medals, the surprises, the controversies. With the first week of the Olympics almost at the end, it’s time to take stock. Are African athletes bringing home the deserved gold? And, with Covid cases reaching new heights in Japan, are the pandemic Games living up to all the hyp ... Show More
13m 15s
Jul 2021
A dangerous games? A muted start to the Olympics
Tokyo is under a state of emergency; covid-19 cases are piling up. But for Japan, a super-spreader event is just one of the potential costs of this year’s games. We ask why Britain’s government has essentially given amnesty to those involved in Northern Ireland’s decades of deadl ... Show More
23m 14s