Corporate giants ready to back Tokyo Olympic bid; public support up to 70%

I guess spending money on the Olympics is more important than helping out the Tohoku area. Shows where their interests lie: Money. There are many more important things in Japan to spend money on, rather than a sports event which would only temporarily boost the economy.

Tokyo Olympics would be AWESOME!

If the sponsorship rules keep getting stricter and more exclusive, Toyota's sponsorship could mean that Nissan, Subaru, Honda and Mazda cars would not be allowed on the olympic sites; only Macdonalds burgers could be eaten, along with cups of Pepsi-Cola, JTB cards only could be used at ATMs, Miyamoto's Book of Five Rings would be banned along with Lord of the Rings, Kodak film would be excluded, Sony cameras and Hitachi monitors would only be allowed for the AV crew, and Mizuno clothing for everyone. The olympic 'family's' greed for money is getting ridiculous...

Japan’s corporate giants are ready to chip in for another Summer Olympics in Tokyo in hopes the Games will provide the same economic boost as the 1964 edition, Toyota’s chairman said Tuesday.

Yeah, it worked once, right? So who's to say it won't work again, eh?

Ganbarou!

Officials said public support for Tokyo’s bid had soared to 70% from 47%, citing IOC surveys.

I bet they count the "don't really care" votes as positive support.

I've never spoken to anyone who actually supports the bid. They either don't want it in Tokyo, or couldn't care less if it was here or not.

I'm certainly one of the current 30%.

If the sponsorship rules keep getting stricter and more exclusive, Toyota's sponsorship could mean that Nissan, Subaru, Honda and Mazda cars would not be allowed on the olympic sites;

What do you mean? They would probably use Toyota cars for official transport.

only Macdonalds burgers could be eaten, along with cups of Pepsi-Cola,

Well, that IS what sponsorship is. Being the "Official XXXXX of the Olympic Games" tag is expensive for a reason.

JTB cards only could be used at ATMs,

I think you mean JCB.

Miyamoto's Book of Five Rings would be banned along with Lord of the Rings,

What??

Kodak film would be excluded,

Anyone still use film? And isn't Kodak bankrupt?

Sony cameras and Hitachi monitors would only be allowed for the AV crew,

Ones set up in the stadiums maybe, not for everyone.

and Mizuno clothing for everyone.

Well, that IS what sponsorship is. Only the "official" clothing though.

The olympic 'family's' greed for money is getting ridiculous...

That, I agree with.

Politicians printing money to put on games reminds me of the fall of the Roman Empire.

http://www.roman-colosseum.info/roman-empire/reason-why-the-roman-empire-fell.htm Reason why the Roman Empire fell - The 'Mob' and the cost of the 'Games' If the thousands of unemployed Romans became bored this led to civil unrest and rioting in the streets. The 'Mob' needed to be amused - the gladiatorial games had to be provided. The cost of the gladiatorial games was born by the Emperors, and therefore the state, and corrupt politicians who sponsored the games to curry favor and support with the 'Mob'. The cost of the gladiatorial games eventually came to one third of the total income of the Empire.

I notice none of these guys are pushing the "We can prove we have recovered from the 2011 disasters" line given that there are current news reports that two years on and there's still HEAPS of rebuilding to be done. This money could be SO much better used!

i wouldn't mind chipping in either

@Smithinjapan I agree. Asahi newspaper had a cartoon showing Inose, the Governor of Tokyo, attempting to prevent Olympic committee members from seeing protesters with banners saying "Do, Reconstruction, Protection from Disaster First!" and a large banner "Soredokoro Ja Nai!" (ALC dictionary "This is no time for that"). The caption under the cartoon reads Following on from "Mottainai" (a word that is supposedly unique to Japanese), "Soredokoro Ja Nai" is another example of Japanese that I'd like to teach."

Definitely, soredokoro ja nai.