天皇陛下が開会宣言へ　皇后さまの同席見送り―東京五輪

　宮内庁は２０日、天皇陛下が２３日に国立競技場で開かれる東京五輪の開会式に出席されると発表した。大会組織委員会からの出席要請が１４日付であり、名誉総裁として開会宣言を行う方向で調整が進んでいる。新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大を踏まえて人数を絞るため、皇后さまは同席しない。
　同庁は、五輪に合わせて来日する各国首脳らとの面会も、陛下が単独で行うと発表した。開会式前日の２２日にバッハ会長ら国際オリンピック委員会（ＩＯＣ）関係者を、２３日の開会式前に各国首脳らを、それぞれ２０人ほど皇居・宮殿に招く。全員マスクを着用するなど感染症対策を講じ、飲食は伴わない。組織委と内閣官房から面会の願い出があった。
　一方、ほとんどの会場で無観客開催となることから、皇室の方々の競技観戦は見送られる。（2021/07/20-17:31）

Japan's Emperor Naruhito will attend the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony, set to be held at the National Stadium in the capital Friday, the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday.
   The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics organizing committee on Wednesday last week asked for the Emperor's participation in the ceremony. Talks are underway for Emperor Naruhito, who serves as honorary patron of the Summer Games, to declare the opening of the Olympics at the ceremony.
   Empress Masako will not attend the ceremony as the number of participants will be limited amid a resurgence of novel coronavirus infection cases in Tokyo, according to the agency.
   The agency also said that Emperor Naruhito will hold meetings with foreign dignitaries visiting Japan for the Olympics without the presence of Empress Masako. Around 20 International Olympic Committee officials, including President Thomas Bach, will be invited to the Imperial Palace on Thursday, and about as many foreign leaders to the same palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Friday, before the opening ceremony, the agency said.
   Infection prevention measures will be in place at the meetings, such as all participants wearing a face mask. No food or drinks will be served.