More Sports More Sports Japan Olympic Committee deputy head tests positive for coronavirus Japan Olympic Committee's deputy chief Kozo Tashima said he was on a business trip to Europe and USA for football negotiations. AFP Tokyo 17 March, 2020 16:43 IST Japan Olympic Committee's deputy chief Kozo Tashima also heads the Japan Football Association. - ap AFP Tokyo 17 March, 2020 16:43 IST Japan Olympic Committee's deputy chief Kozo Tashima said Tuesday he had tested positive for the coronavirus, as doubts increase over whether Tokyo can safely host the Summer Games.“Today, my test result showed positive for the new coronavirus,” Tashima said in a statement, issued via the Japan Football Association, which he also heads.Tashima said he was on a business trip since February 28, first heading to Belfast to attend the annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board.From March 2, he visited Amsterdam for a UEFA meeting to give a presentation on Japan's bid for the 2023 women's World Cup.READ: Tokyo Olympic Games not to be staged behind closed doors: IOC On March 3, he attended a general meeting of UEFA.“In Amsterdam and in Europe in early March, the level of nervousness against the novel coronavirus was not the same as now. Everyone was still doing hugs, handshakes and bises (cheek kissing),” he said in the statement.He then travelled to the United States to watch the Japanese women's team in action and to lobby for the women's World Cup, before returning home on March 8. Subscribe to our daily newsletter Get your daily dose of Sportstar with handpicked stories delivered right to your inbox! SUBSCRIBE Please enter a valid email address.