Foreign leaders, sponsors and even International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach should stay away from next month¡¯s Tokyo Games to minimize risks from the coronavirus, Yukio Edano, the leader of Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), has said.

¡°We shouldn¡¯t let anyone into Japan other than those who are absolutely essential for the events,¡± Edano, 57, said in an interview Thursday, six weeks before the Olympics are set to open on July 23. That means athletes, referees and support staff, he added.

¡°Leaders and President Bach can take part in the opening ceremony remotely. It¡¯s perfectly simple in this day and age,¡± said Edano, who is head of Japan¡¯s main opposition party. Bach is scheduled to arrive in Japan on July 12, Kyodo News and other media have reported.