Japan says Olympics on track as Abe and Trump talk on coronavirus

FILE PHOTO: A man wearing a protective face mask following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) walks past a banner for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, March 11, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan on Friday said it was determined to hold a "safe and secure" Tokyo Olympics on schedule, after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested a one year delay because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lawmakers later granted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe emergency powers to close schools and halt large gatherings. His economy minister also pledged "bold and unprecedented steps" to lessen economic fallout as financial market panic pushed the Nikkei <.n225> stock market benchmark 6.1 percent lower.