Would you like to see Tokyo get the 2016 Olympics? If your answer is no, then why not?

Yes. I'd like to say why, but I'm apparently not allowed to do so. O

Moderator: You can say why.

No. Tokyo is crowded enough. And besides, President Obama wants Chicago to host the 2016 Olympics.

Man, I guess I have say it again.

Abso-friggin-lutely not and here's my reasons:

Number 10-- Gropers on trains

Number 9-- Ueno park and Sumida river residents forced to move into the burbs

Number 8-- All that fingerprinting at the airport might cause a "regrettable situation"

Number 7-- "We can't understand you so we don't want to accommodate you."

Number 6-- Did I say gropers already? OK, gropers on over crowded trains

Number 5-- Over priced hotels

Number 4-- Over priced food

Number 3-- Police (need I say more)

Number 2-- The Aso hit parade of ineptitude

And the Number 1 reason I don't want Tokyo to host the Olympics....

Governor "I hate foreigners because they are the root of all problems in Japan" Ishihara

No, because I despise Ishihara.

Too much humidity and poor air quality (not as bad as Beijing, mind). Can't be good for the athletes. Why not have the Olympics in the middle of Hokkaido?

International event plus xenophobic country. Does not compute. Does not compute.

Too much humidity and poor air quality (not as bad as Beijing, mind). Can't be good for the athletes. Why not have the Olympics in the middle of Hokkaido?

We did, in '72. Well, almost the middle.

Nah. Too much bother. And apparently the central government is set to pour in tax money to fill the gap if Tokyo goes over budget. Not a good idea.

Let Rio have it, since South America has never hosted the Olympics before.

Tokyo, Sapporo and Nagano have all had Olympics but Rio is going for its first attempt. A more compelling case for Brazil and South America having its first Olympics can be made over Japan having its fourth.

It would have been better to not have listed Tokyo as the nominee to generate interest. Not a lot of freshness factor.

So I'd echo that Rio is the odds on favourite

No way.

Reason being I hate sport & hate the idea of having wall-to-wall sport in Japan & under no circumstances even think about Hokkaido.

No, I do not want the Olympics held in Tokyo in 2016.

The next Football World Cup will be held on the African continent for the first time in 2010, so why not give South America a chance to hold the Olympic Games in Rio?

World cup is in africa in 2010,we have first american african president. Things looking up for africa.

Commonwealth games going to india next year and Tata Nanos becomes world most affordable car. Things looking up for India sub continent and also in China after olympics 2008.

Games should move on developing nations,that is where they need sports to progress.

May be good for world cup to hit Brazilian nation in 2016,with be good for south americans. Sports help developing nations develop,look what olympics has done for China via 2008 games.

Sheesh, stop bashing Japan. I'd love to go. I'd even stand in line to do it.

Do you remember the World Cup? All the money poured in the new stadiums that now we under use and keep losing money. I dont live in Tokyo, but if the people there dont mind pay more tax for held a party, is up to them, just dont ask any extra money from the central gob.

God no ! At a grass roots level it would be a nightmare for regular fans with the lack of facilities and language ability.That's before actually the expense of travelling here etc.Japan is just not developed enough to handle it in the right way.Also,the tackiness of Japan would be nasty,boy-bands at events etc singing juvenile crap etc.

no - they want to remove yoyogi park, plus Ishihara is an jacka$$

@ca1ic0cat at 02:43 AM JST - 16th April

I'd even stand in line to do it.

If Tokyo gets the Olympics you'll definitely be standing in line - for pretty much everything that's going on in Tokyo. Better start getting into training!

My answer is yes on humanitarian ground. Japan has been in recession for more than a decade and according to J-economy experts if Olympics are held in Tokyo it will generate business worth Y3 tri.

My answer is yes on humanitarian ground. Japan has been in recession for more than a decade and according to J-economy experts if Olympics are held in Tokyo it will generate business worth Y3 tri.

on humanitarian grounds I think Rio needs that money more

No, because Tokyo has a number of other more pressing issues that need to be addressed. Furthermore, issues of xenophobia and racism aside, the current Tokyo government administration (a certain governor) has showed himself to be an extremely poor manager of public assets (the banking disaster). Who in their right mind would reward such shocking behavior by awarding Tokyo the Olympics. That being said, however, if Tokyo does end up being awarded the games, I think the whole project would be better off handled by the national government rather than the goon squad down in Shinjuku.

No, for the reasons Nessie and mareo stated. The way many foreigners were treated here during the World Cup, due to fears of hooligans spawned by the media, does not indicate Japan is really willing to open its arms to the world. Nor does the fact that 40% of the hotels getting government support because they are supposedly foreigner-friendly, had no English speaking staff, as required.

No, for 2 simple reasons. 1.They had them already. 2.They do not deserve it, with a overtly racist Governor like Ishihara at the helm.

No, because:

I don't want fooligans in my Japan Being lined up next to athletes with perfect bodies makes me feel inadequate

loose ishihara then we can talk, that said Tokyo chances are slim if you need my ok

No.

It's waste of money It's waste of time I hate how they close down night clubs to show that Tokyo is a morally good city. At the same time a simple convenience of garbage bin on a corner of an intersection in ginza is unheard of. It's just lame!

Hell Yes! For those of you who were here for World Cup, yes it was crowded but come on, that was one hell of a time and I can't wait to do it again! Come on Tokyo!

Altria -

“I don't want fooligans in my Japan”

You're a fooligan!

And nicegaijin, when have THEY ever closed a night club to look more respectable? Who is they? And Come on! B00B!

No. Govt. already running a huge deficit, they can't afford to fund it.

No, Ishihara is looking to pad his mate's pockets with tax payer's money. Southern Hemisphere needs another shot. Go Brazil.

I have a feeling that it's going to go to Chicago. Beijing recently hosted the Olympics, so I really think it's too early for another Asian nation to get the Olympics. I don't think it will go to Rio, not sure why, but it just doesn't seem likely to me. The main reason I don't want to see the Olympics in Tokyo, is because my damn tax money will probably be used in some way to pay for the damn thing. They'll probably buy massage chairs with built-in karaoke machines for the athlete's village, or some other "essential" item...

Chicago can go to hell.

I think japan should get it! ;P

No.

As pointed out by coolcali.

Plus, why should an event which should promote healthy lifestyle and living be held in the mecca of tobacco? Every stinking part of this city wreaks of smoke.

The way many foreigners were treated here during the World Cup, due to fears of hooligans spawned by the media

The World Cup treatment was generally good by everyone except the authorities and media.

jesssicaaa already is in the place he/she suggests. Chicago is my home town, don't tread on me. If you had a bad experience, that doesn't condemn the city for its natives. That being said, "Tokyo to win it?" Because the tap water is drinkable? Even to this day and beyond, anyone over 60 won't sit next to a foreigner, and those under 60 sit right or pretend not to notice you. Until people can be treated as equals (or some pretense thereof), what is the meaning of having Olympics? But I don't condemn the place, because its my adapted city of more than a decade. I suck it up and practice patience and love thy neighbor as much as I can. In a word, the trains and public transportation are good, but.....crowded with foreigners like us? We could put up with it for the 2 weeks I guess, but

Nessie -- really? Those English fans, or which I was a tag-along, who were denied the ability to book a hotel in Sapporo were treated "generally good". Right? And, respectfully, since when is "generally good" a high enough standard to be awarded the Olympics? Is that world-class?

@ Nessie at 04:32 PM JST - 16th April

The World Cup treatment was generally good by everyone except the authorities and media.

I might be an exception, albeit slightly. On my way to see an exhibition game in Sendai prior to the real competition, a group of elementary schoolkids pointed at me and said 'hooligan' - the media and authorities had certainly got their message through to them.

anyone over 60 won't sit next to a foreigner

Rubbish.

those under 60 sit right or pretend not to notice you

You want people to sit wrong? or left? donnunnerstan.

If you look outside your 'I'm a furriner, love me' bubble, you'll realise that Japanese pretend not to notice anyone they're forced to stand/sit in close proximity to. You aren't being singled out.

I just don't get all this xenophobic claptrap. Tokyo had the Olympics once before, and I don't think having furriners swarming all over the place was any problem then, was it?

Obama says Chicago and he is POTUS. Decision made.

No. For the following reasons;

Ishihara hates foreigners. How can Tokyo host an international event? He was elected using this politic: so you infer that Tokyo population hates foreigners too. Japanese population in general avoid foreigners. Who is gonna pay the HUGE taxes coming down the pipe? yes, you and me. That sad thing before World Cup 2002, when authorities would warn hotels, bars, clubs, about the foreigner-risk. Olympics here wouldn´t be so festive as it would be in Chicago, Rio or Madrid.

i hope it goes to brazil. the BRICs countries deserve their rightful place in the spotlight these days

why not Brazil? or some other countries in south america. I think they're more hospitable.

the BRICs countries deserve their rightful place in the spotlight these days

Except that you need a tetanus shot to go there. No way they're ready yet, a few more centuries of development and civilization should help.

No way

We all know whats going to happen, right? Billions of yen wasted on monstrous, ugly facilities that will be used for 2 weeks, then forgotten. And all that money siphoned off by massive construction company executives, who just happen to be ex-public servants or government ministers, and have a compliant and persuasive media that can sway an ill-informed population to believe anything. And in the end, the people of Japan, especially Tokyo, are forced to say thank you for the few crumbs that are thrown their way. Then, 5 years down the track, back to square one, Japan`s back in recession.

No. Because Ishihara is a racist, and the foreign media needs to expose that fact. This is nothing more than LDP porkbarreling - the only thing they know how to do. Japan does not need any help going further into debt. If you want to know what kind of financial black holes the Olympics have become, just start checking news stories out of Vancouver. It's a stupid idea.

Even to this day and beyond, anyone over 60 won't sit next to a foreigner, and those under 60 sit right or pretend not to notice you.

Nonsense. Old folks sit right next to me and chat all the time. Usually the old ladies pal around with me on the trains, if they aren't too crowded at the time, that is.

Yes, I want to see the Olympics in Tokyo!

Nessie -- really? Those English fans, or which I was a tag-along, who were denied the ability to book a hotel in Sapporo were treated "generally good". Right?

Right. That was not good at all. The Japanese fans cheering for the foreign team they hosted even when it played against Japan was exceptional tho.

And, respectfully, since when is "generally good" a high enough standard to be awarded the Olympics? Is that world-class?

It's the current standard. So...since always. Who says the Olympics are world-class? The Olympics is usually a mugger's delight, so generally good is the standard.

jesssicaaa already is in the place he/she suggests. Chicago is my home town, don't tread on me. If you had a bad experience, that doesn't condemn the city for its natives. That being said, "Tokyo to win it?" Because the tap water is drinkable? Even to this day and beyond, anyone over 60 won't sit next to a foreigner, and those under 60 sit right or pretend not to notice you. Until people can be treated as equals (or some pretense thereof), what is the meaning of having Olympics? But I don't condemn the place, because its my adapted city of more than a decade. I suck it up and practice patience and love thy neighbor as much as I can. In a word, the trains and public transportation are good, but.....crowded with foreigners like us? We could put up with it for the 2 weeks I guess, but

Im not in japan... im in australia!! and i hate america period. not just that town ;] no offence entended ^^ I just believe everybody should get a chance to host the Olympics... so japan should get it!

Since Obama is the leader of the entire world, the decision's already made.

Yes. Beijing used theirs to experiment with anti-pollution measures. There are lots of things that Japan could improve, and Japan always needs an excuse first.

There's no poll, BTW?

"I hate america period". What kind of person is this? Substitute any countries name, aussie included and what do you get, mate? Bad blood circulation and a shortened life. Wish you all the best. About the trains and people not sitting next to you, I wonder which trains and which part of the country of Japan people are living in when they say Japanese sit right down next to you like your one of the tribe. Yes, sometimes, they will, but sometimes they won't, and not because they don't want to sit, but because for the only reason that a non-Japanese is sitting next to the open space. Hello? Call a spade a spade.

Why not, coconut! I'd like to see Olympics in Tokyo... Japanese people nowadays are hospitable. My nihongo teachers invites me to their homes, tour me around... Old folks in the street are so sweet and nice, they easily threw out a smile and conversation.. will definitely sit beside a foreigner!

Mixed - living VERY close to one of the venues I can see some good rental income for a month or so but to put up with all that other rubbish I am not so sure.

Personally I do not see it going to Japan or Madrid Sydney->Athens->China->UK->surely somewhere a bit further west....

Hopefully Rio and not Chicargo

I would have preferred Japan's other choice for the Olympics: Fukuoka. Tokyo has had the Olympics once already. But Tokyo is no worse than having them anywhere else in the world. At least it is safe to go out at night.

Good for all you wonderful foreigners enjoying the smiling faces all around. I think you must be walking on the moon. Cheers and to all a good and hopefully safe Olympics, wherever they may be.

After 10 minutes on Ichiro at the top of tonight's NHK 7PM news, we had about 7 minutes concerning the wonderful 'suprises' (yes the translator used this word at least three times) that the IOC committee was given, as if they were guests at a children's party. Jeez.

I'd hate to see the Olympics in Japan. I used to enjoy it once when a long time ago, there used to be more of a real "Olympic spirit". Now it just seems to be advertising, advertising and money, money, money. The cheating and drug scandals in the game make me sick (drug useage in sports has been around probably since the ... invention of ancient Olympic games, but that is not the point). In all honesty, I couldn't care less if the Olympics were never held again.

Furthermore, could you imagine if a spectator got sick and a Japanese ambulance came to pick them up ... "Okay, we'll find you a hospital ... do you think you will last till some place can take you?". I'm scared to think what might happen.

I don't see any reason why Tokyo should not be allowed to host the olympics for that time period. I love travelling to Japan anyways, but I'm not a big fan of big cities. But if I go for the olympics then theres no problem.

If your answer is no, then why not? １）　Ｔｏｋｙｏ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ａｒｅ　ｕｎｆｒｉｅｎｄｌｙ． 　　　They need " SMILE TRAINING " Last time I spoke English quietly on the train a woman ran away from us. Like I farted or something .Or my breath smelled like natto sandwich.　Ｎｏｔｅ　Ｉ　ｈａｄ　１　ｂｒｅａｔｈ　ｍｉｎｔ　ｉｎ　ｍｙ　ｍｏｕｔｈ．

２）　Ｔｒａｉｎｓ　ａｒｅ　ｏｖｅｒ　ｃｒｏｗｄｅｄ． Usually, Olympic Games start in the morning. August is prime vacation for Japanese people. But the trains will get overcrowded. How can J Trains handle this ? ３）　Ｆｏｏｄ　ｉｓ　ｔｏｏｏ　ｅｘｐｅｎｓｉｖｅ　ｈｅｒｅ． A few days ago, I paid ￥８５０　ｆｏｒ　ａ　ｌａｒｇｅ　ｐｉｚｚａ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｐｉｚza was the size of a coffeｅ cup plate.　Ｆｏｏｄ　ｐｒｉｃｅｓ　ａｒｅ　ｔｏ　ｈｉｇｈ　ｈｅｒｅ． ４）Ｙｏｕ　ｄｏｎ’ｔ　ｇｅｔ　ｗｈａｔ　ｙｏｕ　ｐａｉｄ　ｆｏｒ． 　　　Ｈｏｓｐｉｔａｌｉｔｙ　ａｎｄ　Ｓｅｒｖｉｃｅｓ Hotel: to expensive/ staff is not helpful/ doesn't have knowledge of the hotel surroundings not enough bi-lingual staff/ In hawaii they have bi-lingual staff english/japanese Why Not here ? ５）”　Ｅｉｇｏ　Ｗａｋａｒｅｎａｉ　” This common phrase shouldn't be said OUTLOUD. Many tourists thing this phrase is rude behavior especially if they are TOURISTS. Foreign People who work in Japan for a living should be able to speak some japanese after 6 months. But a tourist shouldn't or less it is the tourists choice speak Japanese. These are GUESTS. Saying " EIGO WAKARENAI " is rude and idiot comment. Hospitality businesses should ACCOMADATE TOURISTS any way ,shape or form. Restaurants: Some bi-lingual menus but bi-lingual staff NO Many visitors want to try japanese food. Wake up Tokyo Taxi: Cheating Taxi Drivers * Drive the long way instead of the shortest ROUTE Being Polite is good. Being Rude is bad.

I do not know why Tokyo got the bid but Singapore didn't get the bid ? At least Singapore is " MORE FRIENDLY " than Tokyo. I don't like Madrid it's racist over there too. Chicago- hmmmm maybe next time. Rio - Yes, that place can host a big party.Rio can do it !!! Tokyo I will use a best word to describe Tokyo people and the governor. This is a common psychology anal retentive group thinking. Yes, I belive anal retentive best describes the governors actions. Maybe not enough fiber in his diet. Maybe, the commonwealth of tokyo need more fiber in their diet.Yes, I concur.hahahahaha I hope 20 years from now. The two next asian countries that deserve summer Olympics is Singapore and Thailand.

No.

Any city that elects Ishihara as its governor does not deserve to host any international event. Period.

Brazil is bigger (population, land size, economically) than almost any European country except Germany, Brazil is one of the world's leaders in MANY kinds of sports, not just SOCCER, they have never had the olympics, only MEXICO CITY back in 1968, 4 years after the 1964 Tokyo Olympics were held, Tokyo may have idiots like Shintaro Ishihara, the present governor of Tokyo, but for foreigners, hey may seem racist, but como on, this old dude is harmless compared to some neo nazis in the suburbus of Chicago or just drunken idiots in Madrid. Tokyo is great despite idiots like Ishihara, Singapore friendly??? Not too sure about that, they kind of speak English so does that make them friendly to Enlish speakers??

Hell no! It's another bate an' switch. They'll get the games alright but through the usual means.