It's been reported Kanjani8's Yasuda Shota, honorary professor at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology and talent Sakana-kun, and talent Shinohara Shinichi have all declined their participation in the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay.

They were scheduled to run through Hyogo Prefecture on May 23 and 24. Shinohara, who is from Kobe City, commented, "Since I would be crossing over prefectures during the state of emergency, I thought about it very carefully. I felt that we could cheer on the athletes in a different way." 

Similarly, Sakana-kun explained on YouTube, "Although I was really looking forward to it, we are in the coronavirus disaster and state of emergency, so it couldn't come true. It's regrettable, but right now, I strongly feel that we should work to prevent further spread and overcome it together."