Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Friday that Japan remained determined that the Olympics would go ahead as planned in Tokyo this summer.

Amid speculation the event might be canceled again due to the coronavirus pandemic, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said on Wednesday the IOC was fully committed to it going ahead.

Suga told a virtual meeting of the World Economic Forum that Japan was "determined to deliver hope and courage to the world" through the Games, and he would continue to collaborate closely with Bach to realize a "safe and secure" event.

"Preparation is progressing solidly," Suga added.

Bach on Wednesday described any speculation about the Games' postponement or cancellation as unhelpful.

Japan has been hit by a third COVID-19 wave that has triggered states of emergency in areas including Tokyo. 

The government is not planning to start rolling out its vaccine program until late February, casting doubts over whether a significant proportion of the population will have been inoculated in time for the Games.

The head of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee, Yoshiro Mori, told reporters on Thursday that holding the Games without spectators was an option that needed to be considered.