Yoshihide Suga
FILE - Then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears as the Nintendo game character Super Mario during the closing ceremony at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Aug. 21, 2016. Despite his fame as a Japan's longest serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe might have had enjoyed his biggest moment at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro. (Yu Nakajima/Kyodo News via AP, File)
Abe impersonated 'Super Mario' to promote Tokyo Olympics

By Stephen Wade Jul. 09, 2022 01:07 AM EDT

In this image taken from video provided by UN Web TV, Suga Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan, remotely addresses the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in a pre-recorded message, Friday Sept. 24, 2021, at UN headquarters. (UN Web TV via AP)
Japan's leader says Olympics were 'symbol of global unity'

By Jennifer Peltz Sep. 24, 2021 04:08 PM EDT

The flag of the United States enters the stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Paralympic closing marks end of Tokyo's 8-year Olympic saga

By Stephen Wade Sep. 05, 2021 08:31 AM EDT

Andrew Parson IPC President speaks remotely during a four-party meeting in Tokyo, Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. All fans will be barred from the Paralympics during the pandemic, just as they were from the recently-completed Tokyo Olympics, organizers said Monday. (Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool Photo via AP)
Paralympics follow lead of Olympics: No fans during pandemic

By Stephen Wade Aug. 16, 2021 07:23 AM EDT

A woman wearing a face mask to help protect against the spread of the coronavirus walks under the scorching sun Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japan leader's medical adviser urges tougher virus measures

By Mari Yamaguchi Aug. 12, 2021 08:09 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2021, file photo, fireworks illuminate over National Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, in Tokyo. When the Tokyo Olympics began during a worsening pandemic, the majority of the host nation was in opposition, with Emperor Naruhito dropping the word “celebrating” from his opening declaration of welcome. But once the Games got underway and local media switched to covering Japanese athletes' “medal rush,” many were won over. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)
Tokyo's Olympic fears give way to acceptance, to a point

By Mari Yamaguchi Aug. 11, 2021 09:16 PM EDT

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga delivers a speech during a ceremony at Nagasaki Peace Park in Nagasaki, southern Japan Monday, Aug. 9, 2021. The Japanese city of Nagasaki on Monday marked its 76th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's PM thanks people for safe Olympics during pandemic

By Mari Yamaguchi Aug. 09, 2021 03:49 AM EDT

A woman wearing a face mask to curb the spread of the coronavirus walks with a parasol on a street in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. Japan is playing host to the Tokyo Olympics. But the capital, as well as other populous areas, are in the middle of a government-declared “state of emergency” to curb surging COVID-19 infections. (AP Photo/Kantaro Komiya)
EXPLAINER: What Olympic host Japan’s COVID ‘emergency’ means

By Yuri Kageyama Aug. 05, 2021 12:18 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2021, file photo, a visitor receives a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Tokyo Vaccination Center at Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo. In a new government policy that was debated in parliament on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, coronavirus patients with moderate symptoms will isolate at home instead of in hospitals, as new cases surge in Tokyo to record levels during the Olympic Games. (Stanislav Kogiku/Pool Photo via AP)
Japan to limit hospital care as COVID-19 cases hit new high

By Mari Yamaguchi Aug. 04, 2021 05:51 AM EDT

Japanese Coast Guard boats dock in Tokyo Bay outside of the Olympic athletes' village ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 19, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Outdoor drinking party in athletes village is investigated

By Graham Dunbar Aug. 01, 2021 05:49 AM EDT

An office worker carries a plastic bag as people stand before a pedestrian crossing near Ueno Station in Tokyo Friday, July 30, 2021. Japan is set to expand the coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo to neighboring areas and the western city of Osaka on Friday in the wake of a record-breaking surge in infections while the capital hosts the Olympics. (AP Photo/Kantaro Komiya)
EXPLAINER: Detailing Japan's new COVID state of emergency

By Yuri Kageyama Jul. 30, 2021 03:25 AM EDT

People wearing face masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walk across a shopping alley near Ueno Station in Tokyo Friday, July 30, 2021. Japan is set to expand the coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo to neighboring areas and the western city of Osaka on Friday in the wake of a record-breaking surge in infections while the capital hosts the Olympics. (AP Photo/Kantaro Komiya)
Japan to widen virus emergency after record spike amid Games

By Mari Yamaguchi Jul. 30, 2021 03:06 AM EDT

Runners compete in a heat of the 4 x 400-meter mixed relay at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Olympics Latest: US mixed relay team reinstated after appeal

Jul. 29, 2021 09:25 PM EDT

People wearing face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk on a street in Tokyo Tuesday, July 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
Tokyo reports record virus cases days after Olympics begin

By Mari Yamaguchi Jul. 27, 2021 08:29 AM EDT

FILE - In this July 13, 2021, file photo, a delivery man pushes a cart full of packages as he passes by a business with Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics posters displayed on the windows in Tokyo. How are we to judge the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics when they wrap up in two weeks? It's a straightforward question but it's difficult to answer. That's because there are many interests involved. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Tokyo Olympics: A success? A failure? And how to judge?

By Stephen Wade Jul. 26, 2021 02:00 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 25, 2021, file photo, judges evaluate Asia D'Amato, of Italy, performing her floor exercise during the women's artistic gymnastic qualifications at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Only Tokyo could pull off these Games? Not everyone agrees

By Foster Klug Jul. 25, 2021 02:29 PM EDT

THIS CORRECTS TO GOLD, NOT BRONZE - Naohisa Takato of Japan, left, and Yang Yung-wei of Taiwan compete during their men's -60kg gold medal judo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Olympics Latest: US men get off to fast start in volleyball

Jul. 23, 2021 08:11 PM EDT

A flypast with Olympic-colored smoke by Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse team passes over the Tokyo Metropolitan Government complex during the final torch relay event for the Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo Friday, July 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Kantaro Komiya)
In venue fit for head of state, Japan PM seeks Pfizer doses

By Mari Yamaguchi Jul. 23, 2021 02:20 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2020, file photo, a visitor carrying a rising sun flag enters Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo as Japan marked the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Japan’s “rising sun” flag is raising anger at the Olympics, with some of the host nation’s neighbors calling for it to be banned during the Tokyo Games, which start Friday, July 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)
EXPLAINER: Why Japan 'rising sun' flag provokes Olympic ire

By Hyung-Jin Kim And Mari Yamaguchi Jul. 22, 2021 08:42 PM EDT

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga wearing face masks pose for a photo at the Akasaka State Guest House in Tokyo Thursday, July 22, 2021. (Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool Photo via AP)
Tokyo new virus cases near 2,000 a day before Olympics open

By Mari Yamaguchi Jul. 22, 2021 06:27 AM EDT