It is an unusual opening for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in front of thousands of empty seats on Friday.
There will be only 1,000 dignitaries present at the 68,000-seat Olympic Stadium.
The Japanese public is largely locked out and distrustful of the Games. They fear an influx of infections from foreign visitors.
Glimpses of rehearsals witnessed by Tokyo residents suggest a drone display. We have seen such drone displays recently, for the New Year celebrations especially.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito will be chief among the VIPs accompanied by world leaders and senior figures.
US First Lady Jill Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are among the guests.
Tokyo 2020 also comes with a series of sackings of people connected with the show.
The ceremony’s director, Kentaro Kobayashi, was fired over a 1998 comedy sketch referencing the Holocaust.
Source: AFP
