Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The visit of the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach to Japan, which is scheduled for 17 May, may be postponed to June due to the unfavorable situation with the spread of the new coronavirus in the country. This was announced on Monday by the Japanese TV channel Fuji TV.

It was noted that if the current emergency regime in Tokyo and five other prefectures of the country is canceled at the end of May, Bach’s visit can be organized in mid-June. Currently, new dates for the visit of the head of the IOC to Japan are being agreed.

Earlier it was reported that during a trip to Japan, Bach intends to meet with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and attend one of the stages of the Olympic torch relay, which will be held in Hiroshima. Bach was supposed to visit Hiroshima last year, but the trip was postponed due to the pandemic.

Last week, the Japanese government announced an extension of the emergency regime due to the spread of the new coronavirus until 31 May in Tokyo and the western prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo, as well as the expansion of the regime to Fukuoka and Aichi prefectures. As part of the emergency, which was introduced at the end of April, the authorities demand not to sell alcohol in catering establishments, ask local residents not to leave their homes unnecessarily, and ask employers to transfer employees to a remote mode.

The Tokyo Olympics were supposed to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, but due to the pandemic, the competition was postponed for a year. They will take place from 23 July to 8 August 2021. The name of the Tokyo 2020 Games has been retained.