Toyota boycott the Tokyo Olympics without ads

After the unprecedented decision by the Games’ organizers not to have spectators in the stands, the leading Japanese automaker will cancel events promoting its vehicles and technologies.

The games are held despite strong popular opposition

By making this decision, Toyota, one of the main sponsors of the Olympics, may want to prevent damage to the brand’s image, Kyodo notes. The games are being held despite strong public opposition and fears of the spread of the coronavirus.

Toyota produced a television commercial featuring some of the athletes participating in the Games. Toyota’s head of communications, Jun Nagata, said during an online briefing that it was now difficult for “various reasons” to get support for the Olympics. “We will fully support the athletes and contribute to the Games by providing vehicles and other means,” he said.

The games will be played in unconventional conditions. Tokyo is currently under a fourth state of emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and no viewers will be accepted anywhere in the capital.

Toyota will deliver cars

Toyota will supply 3,340 vehicles in time for the games, less than originally planned, as these are not required for spectators. More than 90 percent of the cars will be hydrogen and electric motors, and they are expected to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Panasonic and Bridgestone are the main Olympic sponsors among Japanese companies.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and the organizers have repeatedly promised that the games will be “safe,” but opinion polls show the public is not convinced. In a survey conducted by Kyodo News over the weekend, the rate is as high as 87 percent. Of the respondents expressing some degree of concern about the organization of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in the face of the pandemic, and 31.2 percent. He said the Olympics should be cancelled.