Japan has denied a media report that it internally decided to cancel the Summer Olympics and Paralympics rescheduled for July and September this year, after being delayed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Manabu Sakai on Friday flatly rejected a report by British daily The Times, saying the government has united in preparations for a successful Summer Games.

Sakai added that Tokyo will continue to fulfill its duty to prepare for the Olympics until a final decision is made on whether to actually hold the event. He also denied speculation that Japan may seek to host the games in 2032.

Seiko Hashimoto, the minister in charge of hosting the Olympics, also vowed to exert all-out efforts toward holding the event this summer.