Tokyo, Japan - Mounting hesitation from Japanese citizens surrounding coronavirus has caused thousands of event volunteers to jump ship from the upcoming Olympics.

Around 10,000 volunteers for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have quit, broadcasters NHK reported on Wednesday.

Citing Games organizers, the report said the volunteers have left because of their fears over contracting coronavirus infection at the event, which will take place from July 23 to August 8.

Emotions are also heightened due to the postponement of the Games from last year.

While 10,000 have already departed from 80,000 total volunteers, organizers don't expect major problems. Due to the absence of foreign spectators traveling to the games, fewer event personnel are needed than usual.

A majority of Japanese citizens have called for the Games to be postponed again, or cancelled, amid surging coronavirus cases in the country and a slow start to vaccinations.

A state of emergency in Tokyo has been extended to late June.

Olympic organizers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have pledged to committing to health and safety with a strict hygiene protocol in place for the Games.

Other countries have also tried to assist Japan's vaccination efforts and quelling locals' concerns. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen confirmed last week that over 100 million doses of vaccines had been authorized to be exported to Japan ahead of the events.

"We support any preparation for the Games and their safety," she said.

The IOC announced on Wednesday that it had also organized two vaccination hubs in Qatar and Rwanda for athletes who are unable to get vaccines in their home countries ahead of traveling to the Games.