TOKYO — Japanese football club Consadole Sapporo said Friday it will postpone the general sale of tickets for J-League home games because of concerns over the fast-spreading coronavirus. The move comes after Japan"s Health Minister Katsunobu Kato urged caution over holding large-scale events across the country in the wake of the epidemic. "After seeing the announcement of the government agency dealing with the coronavirus and following consultation with the J-League and other relevant stakeholders we will examine the best way to stage home games in order to prevent the further spread of the virus," the club said on its website. Consadole, who play their home fixtures at the indoor Sapporo Dome, increasing the risk of infection, have also suspended advanced membership ticket sales until further notice. Football officials will step up measures to avoid the spread of the disease at this weekend"s season-opening fixtures, according to J-League chairman Mitsuru Murai, who told Japanese media that increased numbers of medics would be on hand. The deadly virus has raised concern over the Tokyo Olympics, which start in July, although organizers have insisted the Games will not be moved. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga promised Friday to "go ahead with preparations to ensure athletes and spectators feel safe and secure". Sports events across Asia have been hit by COVID-19, which has killed more than 2,200 people and infected more than 76,000 — mostly in China — since it emerged in the central city of Wuhan last December. It has since spread to more than 25 countries. Inside China, sport has ground to a halt, the most high-profile victim being the Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai, which was scheduled to take place on April 19. Japan has come under fire for its efforts at containing the outbreak after more than 600 passengers aboard a cruise ship quarantined off Yokohama since February 3 tested positive, by far the largest infection cluster outside China. Two elderly Japanese became the first former passengers on the cruise liner to die after contracting the virus, the government said Thursday. — AFP