Pedestrians wearing protective masks walk past an advertisement for the now-postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, on June 8, 2020.  (PHOTO / BLOOMBERG)

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said she hoped to lift the city’s virus alert this week and denied she was considering canceling the Olympic Games, which are set to be held in scaled-back form next year after being delayed due to the pandemic.

Tokyo is also trying to move to the next stage of its reopening road map, she said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Thursday, which came as a recent uptick in coronavirus cases stabilized. Such a step would allow businesses including karaoke parlors and theme parks to reopen their doors.

“We do hope so,” Koike said, when asked about the possibility of ending the state of alert. On reopening, she said: “We check all the data, and if the data goes down from the standard of alert, then we are ready to ease the restrictions and also to step up to step number three.”

The new stage of re-opening in Tokyo would end calls for a host of businesses to stay closed, enabling amusement centers and internet cafes to reopen

The “Tokyo Alert” was issued last week to urge greater vigilance amid a rebound in cases. Broadcaster TBS earlier reported Tokyo’s plans, citing an unidentified official saying the moves may come as early as Thursday.

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The new stage of re-opening in Tokyo would end calls for a host of businesses to stay closed, enabling amusement centers and internet cafes to reopen. Pachinko parlors, most of which have already reopened despite government requests to remain shut, will also be officially permitted. Bars and restaurants would be allowed to serve until midnight, versus 10 pm under current guidelines, and events of up to 1,000 people could be held.

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Koike denied she was considering the possibility that the Olympics might eventually have to be canceled as the virus continues to ravage the globe. The city faces a massive bill to maintain venues and retain staff after the sports extravaganza was put off for a year.

“No, of course not,” Koike said when asked about the possibility. She added the plan was now to work toward a “much simpler and less expensive event.”

A day earlier, the event’s organizing committee in Tokyo said the 2021 Olympic Games will be scaled back, with plans to limit staffers and the size of ceremonies, but not athletes and spectators.

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Koike didn’t comment directly when asked whether she expected to be hosting next year’s games as Tokyo governor. She is widely expected to run for a second four-year term in a July 5 election, but hasn’t officially announced her candidacy. A poll published last week indicated her handling of the pandemic had bolstered her popularity and she is seen as the clear front-runner in the race.

“To fight against the coronavirus today and to prepare for the second wave is the most important key to keep Tokyo sustainable and keep on growing,” Koike said.