On Sunday, the IOC finally admitted there was a possibility the games may not proceed as initially planned owing to the outbreak of the virus.

It said the possibility existed of the event being pushed back and that final discussions on the matter would be held "within the next four weeks."

These scenarios relate to modifying existing operational plans for the games to go ahead on July 24, 2020, and also for changes to the start date of the games, the IOC said in a statement.

Abe, for his part, said the IOC will ultimately make the final decision on the matter.

He added, however, that neither the IOC or Japan has discussed the idea of cancelling the quadrennial games, nor is such a scenario tabled to be discussed.

"Although the IOC will make a final decision on the matter, we are of the same view that cancellation is not an option," Abe said, adding that he would work closely with the IOC and the Tokyo metropolitan government on the issue.

Tokyo Olympic organizing committee president Yoshiro Mori told a press conference he supports the IOC's decision to use the next four weeks to traverse a number of scenarios regarding the holding of the Olympics from July 24.

Mori also said that it will be down to local organizers to decide whether to continue with the first leg in Japan of the torch relay, slated to begin in Fukushima on Thursday, as the situation surrounding the Olympics and COVID-19 was an extremely fluid one.

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