International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has inspected venues for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Bach is now visiting Japan for the first time since the decision was made in March to postpone the Tokyo Games to next year.

A number of cinemas in Japan have begun seating viewers at full capacity after the government relaxed the limit imposed on big venues due to the coronavirus starting on Saturday.

Cinemas had been limiting the audience to up to half capacity. Eurospace cinema in Tokyo's Shibuya district sold tickets for all 145 seats. Audience members sat next to each other as they waited for the movie to begin.

The organizers of the Tokyo Paralympics on Monday announced the competition schedule for the postponed Games. A few adjustments were made to the timing of some sports, but they were able to secure the same venues that had been planned for this year.

The Paralympics will run for 13 days, from August 24, 2021, one day earlier than the start planned for this year. Athletes from around the world will compete in 539 events across 22 sports.

NHK has learned that organizers of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have secured all venues for the games, which were postponed to next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The organizers had been in talks with owners of the 43 venues, the athletes' village and other facilities.

The Tokyo metropolitan government has designated the competition venues of the coming Olympic and Paralympic Games as priority areas for the next generation 5G communication standard.

5G networks enable high-speed, large-capacity communication. Full-scale services will start in Japan this spring.