Over 30% of Tokyo Olympic participating nations lack host towns

Two quick points.

First 1/3 of 207 is 68. That is not a large number.

Second, Japan is the only Olympic host country that has such a program. The UK, Australia, China did not even try have such a program.

I can understand why some nations might be more popular than others, but come on, omotenasu culture!

"Omoteinashi" works between Japanese people and even then for a limited time only! People here bought into that "image" thanks to getting the games in the first place, and liking to jump on the bandwagon and associate themselves with it.

It doesnt count when it comes to foreigners!

Kitakata City Fukushima United States of America, Minamisoma City Fukushima Djibouti, Taiwan, United States of America, South Korea, Date City Fukushima Gayana, Motomiya City Fukushima United Kingdom

Kitashiobara Village Fukushima Taiwan, Iitate Village Fukushima Laos

FYI No. 1 the link doesnt work, and FYI No 2. these are not "towns" these are countries!

This shows the Olympic 2020 was decided without strong support of citizens.

@Pukey2

Are there any host towns in Fukushima?

Yes, but I doubt Olympic athletes would bother visiting them.

https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/tokyo2020_suishin_honbu/hosttown_suisin/pdf/Registered_Host_Towns.pdf

Kitakata City Fukushima United States of America

Minamisoma City Fukushima Djibouti, Taiwan, United States of America, South Korea

Date City Fukushima Gayana

Motomiya City Fukushima United Kingdom

Kitashiobara Village Fukushima Taiwan

Iitate Village Fukushima Laos

Very nice. Hopefully everyone has a host to warm their soul.

C’mon Japan let’s get international!!!!

If they won't do it, we should.

If we can give suggestion : since Sakai just make it in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, what about they do partnership with some country know for there old place : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_oldest_buildings_in_the_world

Same for Hashimoto (near Koyasan) or other less internationally know area which have old place. In the long run, that can be worth it.

I am pretty sure big and/or famous cities already jumped on "big" countries.

This is one disaster after another. Carry on though. Nothing to see here.

Are there any host towns in Fukushima? After all, the Olympics were touted as something to help that prefecture.

I too, hope there's enough room for everyone at the Olympic table....because ..even those from the other side of the track will come, and Japan, being the gracious hosts will play such.

expat: "Given rents in Tokyo and the level of importance Japan has traditionally attached to relations with developing countries that aren't potential markets, it's not surprising."

Not sure what rent has to do with it. Japan has a lot of sister-city ties, and those towns should be champing at the bit to take on the host countries if no one has yet. Japan has thrown millions in "aid" at African countries for votes at the IWC to support it, but now it is silence when it comes to those countries getting sponsors here.

If I could, I'd welcome a nation myself, but it takes more than just one person. There has got to be a hotline for this kind of thing where people can volunteer, beyond calling the local city halls. If they won't do it, we should. They'll take the credit once things are in order, but oh well.

Lol, almost as funny as the G20 meeting where nobody even acknowledged Abe

As a major country, Japan is more likely to have representation in the countries so why are the diplomatic service and the Japanese Olympic committee not working together in those countries to facilitate this initiative?

Time to step out of the "comfort zone."

Good post,Smith.

Love the photo as well.

Isn't Tokyo 2020's Olympic motto about diversity?

In the picture I can only see Abe and other oyaji.

I hope they find cities for all the countries and it doesn't end up being "the last kids chosen" at a basketball game in school kind of thing. I can understand why some nations might be more popular than others, but come on, omotenasu culture!