Tokyo residents protest Olympics amid state of emergency in Japan

With the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Olympics set to begin in less than three months, protests began in the streets of Japan on Monday. 

People held signs reading "Extinguish the Olympic Torch" and "Cancel the Tokyo Olympics," according to TMZ Sports. The protests come as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Japanese cities, including Tokyo. The rise in cases led the government to extend a state of emergency from May 11 to May 31.

A recent poll conducted in Japan says 80% of Japanese citizens are against the Olympics beginning on July 23. Forty-three percent of those citizens want the Games canceled, while 40% want another postponement. 

Despite pushback, Japanese officials are moving forward with current plans to host the Olympics, insisting that various health and safety measures will prevent an outbreak among athletes and spectators.

In March, the International Olympic Committee announced that spectators from abroad will not be allowed to attend the Games. Officials decided it is too risky to admit fans from overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic.