Naruhito
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

Athletes from Japan Miki Matheson, Mineho Ozaki, Taiyou Imai, Erina Yuguchi, Kaori Icho, and Tskumi Asatani carry the national flag of Japan into the Olympic Stadium at the start of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Joe Toth for OIS via AP)
Paralympics open in empty stadium — just like Olympics

By Stephen Wade Aug. 24, 2021 07:54 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

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 1964, file photo, vapor trails from Japanese Self-Defense Force jets form the Olympic emblem of the five rings above the National Stadium in Tokyo for the official opening of the XVIII Olympiad, first even held in Asia. Every Japanese of a certain age has memories of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Even younger Japanese have connections through parents or aunts and uncles who saved old photos, faded certificates, or recall getting a television for the first time to watch the Games. (AP Photo, File)
From the Emperor on down: Memories of the '64 Tokyo Olympics

By Stephen Wade Jul. 29, 2021 03:34 AM EDT

Japan's Emperor Naruhito declares the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics open

Jul. 23, 2021 10:15 AM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's Emperor Naruhito declares the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics open. ...

Athletes are introduced during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Tokyo Olympics begin with muted ceremony and empty stadium

By Foster Klug Jul. 23, 2021 02:17 AM EDT

Drones flying over the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of 2020 Tokyo Olympics is seen from Shibuya Sky observation deck Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
The Latest: Osaka lights cauldron at Tokyo opening ceremony

Jul. 22, 2021 09:51 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

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, practices at the Ariake Tennis Center ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Latest: 3rd Czech athlete tests positive in Tokyo

Jul. 21, 2021 09:56 PM EDT

First lady of the U.S. Jill Biden poses for a photo with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his wife Mariko in Tokyo, Thursday, July 22, 2021. Biden embarked on her first solo international trip as first lady, leading a U.S. delegation to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where the coronavirus is surging and COVID-19 infections have climbed to a six-month high. (Kyodo News via AP)
Jill Biden in Tokyo for Olympic Games, meets prime minister

By Mark Thiessen And Darlene Superville Jul. 21, 2021 08:44 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2020, file photo, visitor wearing a face mask to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walks by the logo of Toyota Motor Corp. at its showroom in Tokyo. Toyota won't be airing any Olympic-themed advertisements on Japanese TV during the Tokyo Games despite being one of the IOC's top corporate sponsors. The unusual decision by the country's top automaker underlines how polarizing the Games have become in Japan as COVID-19 infections rise ahead of the July 23, 2021, opening ceremony.(AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)
Olympic sponsor Toyota pulls Games-related TV ads in Japan

By Yuri Kageyama Jul. 19, 2021 04:02 AM EDT

Tokyo 2020 Olympics Organizing Committee President Seiko Hashimoto arrives at a news conference after a meeting with local municipalities working group hosted by the government in Tokyo Wednesday, June 23, 2021, on the day to mark one month to go until the opening of the Olympic Games. (Issei Kato/Pool Photo via AP)
Hashimoto: 'No spectators' still possible for Tokyo Olympics

By Stephen Wade Jun. 25, 2021 06:08 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2020, file photo, Japan's Emperor Naruhito wearing a face mask to protect against the coronavirus attends to formally open an extraordinary Diet session at the upper house of parliament in Tokyo. Naruhito appears to be “extremely worried” about the possibility the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics could trigger the spread of the coronavirus as feared by many people, head of Japanese imperial palace said Thursday, June 24, 2021 with the games coming up in one month. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)
Palace: Japan emperor 'worried' about Olympics amid pandemic

By Mari Yamaguchi Jun. 24, 2021 08:29 AM EDT