Host city Tokyo, selected during the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 7 September 2013, can postpone the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games until the end of the year.
Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto has told lawmakers that Japan's agreement with the IOC potentially allows them to delay the Games.
"The contract calls for the Games to be held within 2020. That could be interpreted as allowing a postponement," he said.
Test events for the Olympics have been canceled amid the outbreak in Japan.
Richard Pound, vice-president of the IOC, has suggested that the Games could be called off if the virus is still around by May.