Japan's prime minister has said the Tokyo Olympics could be held WITHOUT spectators with the number of COVID-19 infections rising since the capital's state of emergency was lifted.

Only last month, organisers of the Games said they would fill venues up to 50 percent of capacity, with a limit of 10,000 people. Overseas visitors will not be allowed.

“I’ve said before there is a possibility of there being no spectators,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters on Thursday, according to the Japan Times. “In any case, we will act with the safety and security of the Japanese people as our top priority.”

According to reports, Tokyo reported 673 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, up from 570 from the same day a week earlier.

Footage from April 25 shows members of staff of Tokyo Metropolitan Government and police officers holding placards calling for people to stay at home and other prevention measures.

The Games begin on July 23.

Members of staff of Tokyo Metropolitan Government and police officers hold placards calling for people to stay home and other prevention measures amid an increase of coronavirus cases in Tokyo. The third state of emergency started today, April 25 through May 11, in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo to curb infections of coronavirus cases. There are three months ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic opening ceremony.

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Tokyo begins new state of emergency as COVID cases rise

Members of staff of Tokyo Metropolitan Government and police officers hold placards calling for people to stay at home and other prevention measures amid an increase of coronavirus cases in Tokyo.

The third state of emergency started on April 25 and will continue until May 11 in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto.

In three months, Tokyo is set to host the Olympic Games opening ceremony.