(A Tokyo Olympic countdown clock set up near JR Tokyo Station shows on March 30, 2020, the number of days remaining until the games.)
The International Olympic Committee and the local organizers agreed Monday that the Tokyo Olympics, originally set to open on July 24 this year, will run between July 23 and Aug. 8, 2021, followed by the Paralympics from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.
The IOC has stressed the importance of holding the Tokyo Games in 2021, with President Thomas Bach saying the sporting event can be a "celebration of humankind after having overcome the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus."
"If I'm asked whether the coronavirus (situation) settles in the summer of next year, I can't say that it will be absolutely fine," Muto said.
The Tokyo Olympics are not the first games to be threatened by global health issues.