Plans for Bach to visit Japan this month were postponed because of a government-issued state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus infections.

IOC senior official John Coates will be visiting Japan from June 15 to finalise Olympic preparations on site, broadcaster NHK reported today, citing a statement by Coates.

The IOC kicked off a three-day meeting with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Committee and other organisers yesterday.

During his opening remarks, Bach reiterated his commitment to hold the Games this summer, saying organisers were “fully focused on the delivery of the Olympic Games”.

However, the event – which was postponed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic – faces mounting opposition from the Japanese public over fears it could trigger coronavirus outbreaks and burden medical services amid a slow vaccine roll-out.

Although foreign spectators are barred from watching the Games in Japan, organisers have not confirmed whether domestic spectators will be allowed into venues, saying that a decision will be made in June.