Decision to cancel or delay the Olympics in IOC hands: Japan's minister

Tokyo's Olympic 2020 contract allows it to postpone the Games until the end of the year, Japan's Olympics minister said on Tuesday, amid concerns over coronavirus disrupting the event.

"The contract calls for the Games to be held within 2020. That could be interpreted as allowing a postponement," Seiko Hashimoto said in response to a lawmaker's question in parliament.

However, Japan's government and host city Tokyo remain committed to hosting the Games, due to begin on July 24, she added.

Under the hosting agreement, the right to cancel the Games belongs to the IOC.

At 6:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, there were 985 coronavirus cases in the country, according to NHK.