Economist Podcasts Game on: the Tokyo Olympics
May 20, 2021
Noah Snyder, The Economist's Tokyo bureau chief, dives into the mounting public opposition against the Tokyo Olympics amid rising COVID-19 cases. Concerns over safety have many in Japan advocating for cancellation. Benjamin Sutherland discusses the vulnerabilities of satellite navigation systems like GPS and the implications of jamming or spoofing these signals. The intriguing emergence of cicadas after 17 years provides a quirky contrast, revealing how climate change affects their cycles and inspiring citizen science through the Cicada Safari app.
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Public Opinion and Vaccination Status in Japan
- Over 80% of Japanese people want the Tokyo Olympics cancelled or postponed due to rising COVID-19 cases.
- Japan's vaccination rate is below 2%, the lowest among OECD countries, due to logistical issues, not supply or demand.
Japan's Vaccination Challenges
- Japan's slow vaccination rollout is attributed to logistical problems and bureaucratic caution, not lack of supply or demand.
- Glitchy systems, strict rules, and staffing shortages hinder the process.
Olympic COVID-19 Precautions
- Organizers plan a "bubble" system to isolate participants, similar to the Masters Golf Tournament.
- Daily tests and tracking apps will be used, but vaccination isn't mandatory.