Japan eyes anti-doping law for 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Japan is considering introducing an anti-doping law as the country gears up for 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a government minister said on Tuesday.

Hiroshi Hase said a law against doping was “necessary legislation” as Japan seeks to curb drug abuse by athletes at the Tokyo Games.

“Japan needs to introduce measures dedicated to anti-doping such as educating the public and athletes,” Hase told reporters after a Cabinet meeting.

“And we need to be able to deal with the issue based on law,” he said.

His comments come after track and field’s world governing body IAAF voted to suspend Russia’s athletics federation in November, following the publication of a World Anti-Doping Agency report that alleged “state-sponsored” drug use.

“We need to increase the integrity of sport by cooperating with the International Olympic Committee. Doping is absolutely wrong,” Hase said.

According to Jiji Press, the ministry will soon set up a panel to discuss details of the legislation, such as penalties.

Last month, the Japan Anti-Doping Agency’s chief executive officer Shin Asakawa promised round-the-clock work to make sure the Tokyo Games won’t be “sabotaged” by drugs cheats.

“We are confident of a clean Tokyo 2020,” he said in an interview with AFP.