Hirokazu Matsuno, Chief Cabinet Secretary, stated at a regular news conference “We have no plans to send any government delegation.”
He stated that Seiko Hashimoto, president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee, Yasuhiro Yamashita, president of the Japanese Olympic Committee and Kazuyuki Moi, president of Japan Paralympic Committee will be there.
Matsuno stated that the three officials would attend the International Olympic Paralympic Committees’ invitation to represent the JOC or JPC.
Matsuno was asked if it was a diplomatic boycott and replied that he didn’t know of any.
Japan’s decision to not send a delegation follows similar moves by the United States, Australia, Britain, and Canada. They cited China’s human right violations.
Tokyo was urged by the Chinese foreign ministry not to politicize sport.
Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry said that “We hope and encourage the Japanese side to honor their commitment with China to support each other in hosting Olympic Games” China is confident that it will work with all sides in order to preserve the Olympic spirit of “together” and present the world an Olympic Games that are safe, efficient, and spectacular.
Japan is both a U.S. ally as well as China’s largest trade partner. Japan has chosen to take a more gentle approach than its western counterparts regarding human rights in China’s Xinjiang and Hong Kong regions.
Fumio Kishida, Japan’s Prime Minister, has made human rights a central part of his diplomacy. He created a special advisory role to address the issue. He has also stated that he hopes to have constructive relations with China. In recent weeks, he has been asked repeatedly what he will do regarding the Beijing Olympics. He only stated that a comprehensive decision would be in Japan’s national interests.
Kishida stated that Japan believes it was important for China to ensure the universal values freedom, respect for basic rights and rule of law which are universal values within the international community.
He said that Japan had taken these points into account and decided for itself.
Growing calls have been made by the China hawks in his ruling party and opposition lawmakers for Kishida to immediately decide to boycott the Beijing Games.
China has criticised the United States and other nations for not upholding the principles of political neutrality as required by the Olympic Charter.
The Games will be open to Japanese athletes on February 4.
Matsuno stated that Japan hopes that the Beijing Olympics will be celebrated as the Festival of Peace in the spirit Olympic and Paralympics.
