RAKUTEN CEO CLAIMS HOLDING TOKYO OLYMPICS A ‘SUICIDE MISSION’

Holding the Tokyo Olympics amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic amounts to a "suicide mission," according to Rakuten Group Inc. CEO and chairman Hiroshi Mikitani in an exclusive interview with American broadcaster CNN released.

The billionaire went further in his criticism, awarding the Japanese government a "two out of 10" for its response to the coronavirus, and saying that "it's dangerous to host the big international event from all over the world. So, the risk is too big," Takayuki Sakai reported for Mainichi News.

Mikitani also revealed that he had tried to convince the government not to hold the games, and added that "many countries are still struggling so much, including India and Brazil. And it's not time to celebrate yet."

In a tweet posted on the morning of May 15, Mikitani called for greater priority for vaccinations than sports, writing: "I think that Japan National Stadium should be used as a mass vaccination site as soon as possible."

In another tweet in April, he wrote: "I really think that holding the Olympics this year presents far too great a risk. I am opposed to it."

WEEKLY FEATURE : TRUEMONEY PHILIPPINES BUCKS THE COVID-19 CHALLENGE