Mori said that he had been informed by IOC President Thomas Bach that in terms of the domestic leg of the torch relay, Japanese organizers have the authority to decide how to proceed.

He also said that Abe was now "reluctant" to attend the torch relay's starting ceremony as the Japanese government has been ardently requesting people not to hold or attend large events or gatherings in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto on Monday told reporters that the Japanese leg of the Olympic torch relay would continue as scheduled.

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, meanwhile, told a press briefing on the matter that she was open to discussing various options regarding the Olympics being held with relevant authorities including the IOC over the next four weeks, during which a number of scenarios would be considered, with Koike doubling-down on her belief that the Games should not be cancelled.

"The IOC clearly stated that cancellation will not happen, and I am glad to share that view. There are lots of issues, but I would like to discuss possible scenarios over the next four weeks with the IOC and the organizing committee," Koike said.

"The Tokyo Games now have another goal to defeat the novel coronavirus," said Koike.

As the continued spread of the COVID-19 has organizations, athletes and the public concerned about the global quadrennial sporting spectacle, national Olympic committees in Brazil, Norway and the Netherlands have called for postponements, while Canada and Australia have both said they will not send teams to the games if they are held this year due to concerns over the global COVID-19 pandemic.

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