President Duterte is wishing Japan success in pushing through with the hosting of the Tokyo Olympics this month.

The President, addressing a virtual assembly attended by his Asia Pacific counterparts Friday, July 16, recognized that the Tokyo Games not only demonstrated global unity but also the resilience to withstand challenges.
The Tokyo Games will open later this month after being postponed last year due to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic. Olympic authorities earlier pledged the safe and secure conduct of the global sporting event, from July 23 until Aug. 8, amid the enforcement of stringent health protocols.
"We wish Japan success in mounting the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games," the President said during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) informal leaders' retreat Friday.
"Delayed by a year, Tokyo 2020 has now become a symbol of global unity and a testament to humanity’s boundless capacity to overcome odds," Duterte added.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga was among the APEC leaders who attended the online summit on pandemic response and recovery efforts organized by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Around 15,000 athletes, along with thousands of coaches, support staff, and media, are expected to attend the sporting event. The Philippines will send a 19-member contingent for the quest to attain the elusive Olympic gold in the Tokyo Games.
The Tokyo Olympics will be different compared to previous tournaments since the games will be held without spectators in venues located in the Japanese capital as a precaution against the virus spread. A limited number of spectators will reportedly be allowed in some venues outside the metropolitan area.