The announcement was made following a meeting of five Olympic and Japanese government groups responsible for the Games.

Japanese Olympic Committee Seiko Hashimoto said due to the pandemic, organizers have "no choice but to hold the Games in a limited way."

Venues in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures would be "completely unattended", the Asahi Shimbun had reported citing government sources.

The four areas which span metropolitan Tokyo and its surrounds are home to all the major Olympic venues, including the Olympic Stadium where the athletics will be held and the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, where the swimming will begin on July 24.