Dealing with Covid in Japan has already placed huge strain on medical workers, experts warn

• Coronavirus – latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics could place an intolerable strain on Japanese health workers who are already exhausted from battling three waves of coronavirus infections, medical experts have warned.

Japan has avoided the catastrophic number of deaths seen in other major economies, but about half the population is still living under a state of emergency that is expected to last until the beginning of March, just weeks before preparations for the Olympics are due to begin with a nationwide torch relay.