Rugby coach Eddie Jones claimed Japan will "fight" to hold the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games ©Getty Images

Rugby coach Eddie Jones claimed Japan will "fight" to hold the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games this year, despite the coronavirus crisis.

Jones, who currently coaches the English national rugby team, was head coach of Japan from 2012 to 2015.

He helped the team to a shock victory against South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

The 60-year-old has a Japanese mother and Australian father. 

Despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis, Jones claimed Japan will "fight" to hold Tokyo 2020 as scheduled.

"The Japanese are a very determined, driven society," he said, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald. 

"They have lived consistently through difficult periods, post-World War Two, post-tsunami, post-Kobe earthquake.

"They are resilient people and, once given a task, will do everything they can to achieve the goal. 

"This is part of their society. 

"They are loyal, honest people, determined to achieve set tasks.

"As bad as the coronavirus is, they are determined to hold the Tokyo 2020 Olympics."

Eddie Jones cited Japan's determination to continue the Rugby World Cup last year despite Typhoon Hagibis ©Getty Images
Eddie Jones cited Japan's determination to continue the Rugby World Cup last year despite Typhoon Hagibis ©Getty Images

Jones gave the 2019 Rugby World Cup as an example.

The competition, hosted by Japan, was impacted by Typhoon Hagibis, which caused a number of matches to be cancelled and put the knockout stage at risk. 

Japan's quarter-final clash with Scotland took place due to the host's hard work, Jones claimed.

"At least 85 staff slept in the stadium ... spent every living minute to get the stadium ready," he said.

"Japan did not start the quarter-final through fortune, but worked to earn it."

There are now more than 338,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide, with more than 14,000 deaths. 

The pandemic has caused concern that Tokyo 2020 may have to be postponed or cancelled.