Japan's top government adviser on COVID-19 strategy has recommended the Tokyo Olympics be held without spectators to reduce the risk of infections.
Shigeru Omi's advice clashes with the hopes of organizers to allow thousands of fans.
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes reports from Tokyo.
[Reporter]
In his report, Mr. Omi says the safetest option is to have no spectators at all.
But if there are going to be spectators, he wants them to only come from the local areas hosting each of the Olympic venues.
Meanwhile, the Tokyo city government has begun vaccinating around 40,000 people who will be working in and around the Olympic venues.
They include staff, volunteers and members of the media.
Critics have been quick to point out this last minute vaccination program will reach less than a quarter of the nearly 200,000 people working or volunteering during the Games.
Daily cases of the coronavirus have subsided significantly in the country in recent weeks.
In Tokyo, new infections have dropped down to 500 per day from about 1,100 in mid-May.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga earlier announced the COVID state of emergency in the capital and six other areas will conclude on Sunday, with eased measures to continue, focused on early closures of bars and restaurants until July 11, less than two weeks before the Olympics open on July 23.
