A western Japanese city canceled the Tokyo Olympics torch relay over spiking coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the second area to scrap the event as the clock ticks down to the postponed Games, according to local media.
"We will cancel the torch relay in Matsuyama city. We will hold the celebration for the arrival of the flame in a way that will not involve ordinary spectators," said Tokihiro Nakamura, governor of Ehime prefecture.
Emergency medical services in the region are "under extreme pressure" as COVID-19 cases rise, Nakamura said.
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