John Coates (L), chairman of the International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission, and Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee chief Yoshiro Mori attend a meeting in Tokyo, February 13, 2020. /VCG Photo
Tokyo Olympic organizers stressed on Thursday that the Games will never be canceled or postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
With only 162 days to go until the opening ceremony, concerns have been raised about Japan's hosting the Games with the virus spreading throughout Asia.
Yoshiro Mori, president of the organizing committee, told reporters: "With regards to the coronavirus... there are many irresponsible rumors but I would like to make it clear again that we are not considering postponing or canceling the Games."
"We would like to coordinate with the national government and act in a calm manner," he said.
Mori, also former Prime Minister of Japan, said at the beginning of a two-day meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that "We will work with the government and react calmly".
IOC coordination commission chairman John Coates said the coronavirus outbreak was an "unexpected issue" and he hopes to see "necessary precautions" would be taken by the government and the organizers.
The venue for ceremonies, Athletics and soccer at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. /VCG Photo
Nearly 250 people in Japan have been confirmed infected with the virus as of Thursday, 218 of whom were aboard the cruise ship Diamond Princess.
The virus has already forced the rescheduling of a swathe of sporting events in Asia, including Olympic qualification competitions, Formula One's Shanghai Grand Prix and the Hong Kong Sevens.
It is the third time that the Tokyo Olympic organizers have promised that the Games will not be canceled despite the epidemic.
(With input from AFP and Xinhua)