Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Tokyo Olympics officially flagged off amid protest

There were various anti-Olympic protests in the Japanese capital as the opening ceremony for the Tokyo Games got underway on Friday.

• July 23, 2021
Fireworks light up the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

There were various anti-Olympic protests in the Japanese capital as the opening ceremony for the Tokyo Games got underway at the national stadium on Friday.

Dozens of people, surrounded by police, gathered at the city hall with banners saying “Put out the Olympic torch”, “No Olympics”, and one which called the Games a “Global crime against Japan.”

There were also loud protests outside the stadium where fans were not permitted to attend due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many others also met at the stadium to seemingly be close to the opening ceremony without protesting.

Recent polls showed the majority of Japanese do not want the Games to take place in Tokyo amid the global pandemic.

(dpa/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Shehu Mohammed and other officials in Egypt

Economy

Nigeria, Egypt deepen cooperation on smart transport databank project

The federal government has deepened its commitment to implementing the Smart National Transport Databank Project.

Central Bank of Nigeria Logo

Economy

Banks’ assets hit N180.37 trillion: Report

The report said deposit money banks in Nigeria contributed 41.8 per cent to the country’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP).

Troops

States

Troops kill terrorist commander, foil attacks in Zamfara, Katsina

Troops killed a notorious terrorist commander and foiled attacks in two states.

Anastasiia Berezovska

World

Woman suspected in Monaco bomb attack found dead near Kyiv

Ukrainian prosecutors said her body was found near Kyiv, with a gunshot wound to the head.

Cyril Ramaphosa (Credit: Daily Maverick)

Africa

Xenophobic Attacks: Ghana govt defers Ramaphosa’s planned state visit

”We sent them a communication indicating that it would be best to defer the visit in view of the present climate around xenophobia,” Mr Ofosu said.

ICPC

Abuja

ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged abuse of court approved medical visit

Mr Odey said the doctor was arrested because he allegedly made false statements regarding a court-approved medical visit.