As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads through most Asian countries, United States authorities advised its citizens to not travel to Japan, where the Tokyo Olympics have been scheduled to take place later this year.

The travel advisory was issued by the US State Department on Monday.

Japan has come into the spotlight previously due to its slow rate of vaccinating its residents against the disease and inaugurating the first designated mass vaccination ahead of the Olympics, which were postponed last year, reported AFP.

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The decision was based primarily on government health advice, as well as “secondary factors such as commercial flight availability, restrictions on US citizen entry, and impediments to obtaining Covid test results within three calendar days,” the advisory said.

Just two percent of Japan’s population of 125 million has been fully vaccinated so far.

It began giving the Pfizer shot in February first to medical workers and then over-65s, whom the government aims to finish inoculating by late July, when the Olympics begin.

But ministers say the Games do not figure in their rollout schedule, and no date has been announced for other age groups.

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Japan has seen a relatively small coronavirus outbreak, with around 12,000 deaths overall, but a recent surge in infections has put hospitals under strain.

A total of 10 areas, including prominent cities like Osaka and Tokyo, have been under a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

AFP reports that there is a difference of opinion between the Tokyo Olympics organisers and the public. The former believes the event can be hosted safely while the public believes it should not be organised.

Even though receiving a COVID-19 jab is not a participation requirement, majority of the those involved in the event will be inoculated.