sports

TOKYO AWARDED 2020 OLYMPICS

138 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© (C) 2013 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

138 Comments
Login to comment

As a resident of Istanbul I congratulate my friends in Tokyo!

52 ( +50 / -2 )

Congratulations.

24 ( +27 / -3 )

As a resident of Istanbul I congratulate my friends in Tokyo!

You're a good sport.

Congrats Tokyo! Hooray!

26 ( +29 / -4 )

Great victory for TOKYO !!! Congratulations !!!

20 ( +24 / -4 )

Congratulations! I hope this spurs the government to take more decisive action on dealing with Fukushima.

24 ( +28 / -4 )

Yes! Not sure how many kids I will have by then but we we will all be there

12 ( +15 / -3 )

I hope this spurs the government to take more decisive action on dealing with Fukushima.

Yep I think it is a positive for Fukushima and all areas affected by the tsunami.

17 ( +21 / -4 )

Contrats. Hope I will ne there.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

I hope this spurs the government to take more decisive action on dealing with Fukushima.

Agree! Now they have to realy sit down and work on this issue now that the whole world will look at it.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

Congratulations! Let's unite so Japan can stand tall with pride to the world again.

13 ( +19 / -6 )

Tokyo or Japan, CONGRATULATIONS!

You deserve this BIG GAME coz you have proven now and then that you can manage BIG EVENTS like this without fail over time and again!

My hat goes to everyone of you in Japan!

I can't wait to be there in Tokyo for this Olympic already!

Cheeeeeeers for the gooooooooood work! Keep it up!

17 ( +24 / -7 )

Congratulations Japan.We had a good games in England,hope you guys follow Rio in the same spirit. I can just imagine the crowds and support at the marathon events ^v^

12 ( +16 / -4 )

I hope this will help Japan get over its ambivalence about the outside world. Japan's ancient culture and language are not too delicate to withstand intercultural contacts. This should also give impetus to the Ministry of Education (MEXT) projects like the Global 30 universities, providing education in English. Come out of your shell with 2020 vision!

8 ( +18 / -10 )

The economic benefits should come through well for Japan in the short term and I believe the IOC does have backup cities that have already hosted the games in the case of another disaster closer to opening day.

-13 ( +8 / -21 )

Great news for Japan! I'm looking forward to benefiting from the infrastructure being even further improved to meet the demands of this event!

Congratulations!

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Congratulations!!!!! TOKYO OLYMPIC OOOOO GO GO! :) THE SITUATION IS UNDER CONTROL, Prime Minister Abe said(Believe me) to the world.....we tokyo residents hope so.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Awesome, congratulations!

A great day for Japan and Tokyoites. What a great message it sends to the naysayers and anti Japan crowd!

1 ( +13 / -12 )

NOT GOOD NEWS

How is this country going to afford the Olympics with the massive public debt effecting everything finance related. Is everyone aware of the cost involved? Not to mention the physical space this already terribly crowded city doesn't have. It was shameful to use the earthquake / tsunami / nuclear meltdown disaster as part of their plea to get the games.

Now four times the games host, it seems a lot in 50 years for one country, doesn't it?

The games should go to cities in need of some worldwide attention. Tokyo is already firmly a world class city. Doesn't need the attention. What possible benefit does the Olympics bring the people of Tokyo? Short term job boost, excitement for kids, sure. But is it worth the price?

Sorry to be negative but this titanic outpouring of kitch is not what this country and its economy need.

If it cheers people up for a while though, great.

-5 ( +37 / -40 )

Suspension is over. Now, Japan can plan huge ad income profit to help Fukushima and Tohoku victims area. Hope Spain will economically grow. Hope Turkey will be peace. Hope Any Japanese cities will not try for next Olympic.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

That's great, well done.

10 ( +16 / -6 )

Good Luck Tokyo.

8 ( +15 / -7 )

I am very excited about having the Olympics here in Tokyo. I lived in Atlanta during 1996 Olympics, and it was a great experience. I am very happy to have another opportunity to enjoy another Olympics in my new hometown.

11 ( +16 / -5 )

Congratulations to Japan. The job well done. I would like to see a team work and strong commitment like this for Fukushima clean up. Am I asking you too much? Please show the rest of world you can clean up Fukushima before 2020. Sorry I am being too sober for you.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

and the 2020 gold medal for Olympic induced bankruptcy goes to...... Tokyo....

-10 ( +17 / -27 )

The assumption that this will "help" Fukushima is an odd one. Won't the Olympics instead be a distraction and divert funds AWAY from reconstruction in Tohoku?

Big flashy Tokyo will be at the center of attention and on the receiving end of the largess, not the rural north.

12 ( +27 / -14 )

It was shameful to use the earthquake / tsunami / nuclear meltdown disaster as part of their plea to get the games.

You've got it the wrong way round. The Olympics will be used in their recovery.

-4 ( +13 / -17 )

Condragulations, Tokyo. Shantay, you stay. Madrid, Istanbul. Sashay away.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Will have to start saving so can come and see it! I hope the people of Tokyo/Japan start getting excited and positive about this just as Londoners did for 2012 after an initial reluctance.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Well, this will be interesting. Most people agree that world attention compelled the South Korean military regime to democratize as the 1988 Seoul Olympics approached. China was able to deflect calls for political freedom but had to at least superficially clean up Beijing's awful air before 2008. Japan now faces a different situation leading up to 2020 with Fukushima. The country isn't ruled by military dictators, and Tokyo itself is a city where you can breathe reasonably clean air, but the scrutiny will be intense nevertheless. Have to say--who is this guy Shinzo Abe? This man has made a political comeback for the ages.

1 ( +10 / -9 )

American tourists will come to Tokyo and find they dpn't have tp wear protection vest to walk on the street. Women can have their handbags on their arms to enter their hotels in Tokyo, They will find English version of Asahi or Mainichi is bore. /Not several murder stories each day they enjoyed in their home city.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And one more thing--I'm not a great fan of Shinzo Abe, but for all of you who have darkly warned about Abe's dictatorial inclinations--Erdogan in Turkey this past summer showed everybody what a leader with authoritarian tendencies is really like. Ten years as Turkey's prime minister with no end in sight, and his actions in response to those demonstrations totally blew it for Istanbul's chances at hosting the 2020 Olympics.

1 ( +11 / -10 )

Abe's dictatorial inclinations

Not going to happen, sorry.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

"Not going to happen, sorry."

I didn't write that Abe would become like that. Read other people's comments more carefully.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Told ya.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Congrats Japan. 7 years from now and I'll be there for it

5 ( +11 / -6 )

This is great. Go for it Tokyo. Now Abe can use this situation as his justification for more budget for the environment and to take over Fukushima situation more aggressively not being in a passive position. I do not want to rely on incapable TEPCO. We only have 7 more years to fix the problem for the sake of all living organisms and environment. Mr.Abe, show your real leadership here. We are behind you for this issue. All parties must unite for this mission. Every politicians, please do not use politics for politics but politics for this mission.We may not hand down this hot potato to the next generation. We must do it now. If we could over come this mission impossible within 7 years, this will be our gold medal even if we get none during the games in 2020.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

I didn't write that Abe would become like that

That's nice. Not going to happen anyway.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

CONGRATULATIONS JAPAN!!!!

Well Deserved :))

5 ( +12 / -7 )

****Congratulations to the Japanese people for receiving the honor to host the Olympics. Your friends here in the State of Hawaii extend our warmest Aloha.

Mahalo, Mark Kazuo Bradley & Miho Nagata Bradley

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Congratulations! Now even more reason to hike consumption tax to 10% or even more. Yeah, congratulations! Fukushima? What's that?

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

Congrats Tokyo. Now let's hope that you take this opportunity to not only push sports in the community but also to push sports in the Paralympic communities as well.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Excellent! Go Tokyo, now to emulate London which set the bar for how a modern Olympics should be. Tokyo 2020 I like it.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

No surprise Tokyo got it. The only question now is will the govt be spurred on to actually help the Tohoku homeless or will they continue to neglect them?

4 ( +16 / -12 )

I agree 100% with Matheww. Sorry to be a party pooper, but if anything, this will take even more money away from Tohoku to waste on "urgent" development around Tokyo. If you think the govt is going to use this as a chance to redevelop Tohoku, you are deluding yourselves.

But yeah, congrats Tokyo.

-2 ( +12 / -12 )

Sorry to be a party pooper, but if anything, this will take even more money away from Tohoku to waste on "urgent" development around Tokyo. If you think the govt is going to use this as a chance to redevelop Tohoku, you are deluding yourselves.

This kind of naysaying will end up the same way.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

As a teacher of English and Spanish, I say congrats to Tokyo! Even with the mess up in Fukushima Japan was able to beat Spain and Turkey! Omedetougozaimasu!!! And may many, many Japanese students hurry to brush up their English and Spanish language abilities ¥¥¥!!!

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Now Abe must get busy with Fukushima!!! God help if there is another serious problem or huge leak!! Honestly, I hope there are no problems! However, I have to ask a question, if there is another huge problem, can the IOC revoke the rights given to Tokyo to host the games??? Does anyone know for sure???

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Must be some sort of IOC rules for moving games away from a city if necessary. I think awarding the games to Tokyo, given the Fukushima disaster, is appalling. I can only imagine the number of under the table brown envelopes stuffed with cash involved.

-2 ( +8 / -9 )

@umbrella

So japan is awash with funds and doesn't need to raise consumption tax then??

So did you not read yesterday's article on the same subject ?

"Olympic bid a high-stakes gamble for Abe, Abenomics"

Some people close to the premier say that winning the Olympic hosting rights would boost confidence, share prices and the broader economy enough to offset much of the economic dent from the tax hike, making it more likely he will approve the increase.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Abe : "The situation (in Fukushima) is under control."

Very regrettable Abe told a bald-faced lie in this episode. The man has no honour whatsoever, and will be long gone by 2020. Anyway, put on a great Games, Tokyo!

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

I am another party pooper. I feel sorry for the people of Tohoku. They have been forgotten by this government. The people there are crying out for help to the government and now their wish for housing and services will be put on hold while the government focuses on the Olympics. I am sure host countries of previous Olympics have had huge financial losses. This money and the money spent on sending so many people to put the case for Tokyo would be very welcome by Tohoku. Abe san you should be ashamed of yourself. Go and spend a week living in tempory housing in Tohoku and you might learn something! The stories I have heard from Tohoku people really makes me cry.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Fukushima people are not that happy about it at least. Whether 2020 Olympics is held in Tokyo or not, crippled nuclear plants there still there and more or less radiation leaking from everywhere into air and water. Japan should not forget Fukushima nuclear plants belong to Tokyo metropolitan directly. Unless Fukushima people can go back to normal life, they would not be happy about such a thing. I hope a bigger earthquake would not hit Fukushima again before games.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

OK Japan, Now is the time to show the world your technical expertise.

Show the world some really cool tech in delivering the Olympics to the world. Perfect Japanese language translation into other languages. Give us something more than 4K coverage as it relates to video. And somehow convince the US that we actually want to see it all live, instead of time shifted.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Congrats Tokyo. My kids will definitely go see the games.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Congratulations, Tokyo. Here is my Wish List for the preparations: Fix Fukushima ASAP, ban indoor smoking in restaurants & bars, expand Haneda, ensure all ATMs accept overseas cards, install more elevators & escalators in train stations, add more bike lanes. That's all for now.

8 ( +10 / -5 )

NICE!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

This is good news JUST for Tokyo and its bureaucrats. The rest of Japan is going to pay the bill.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Prime minister Abe said Fukushima is under control but actually depending on wild nature. Scientific probability of bigger earthquakes off Fukushima is about 70 percent in next 30 years.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Congrats Tokyo.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Excellent new! Its the only nation with the economic power to support such event. Madrid is almost broke. Istanbul just had a riot. Tokyo is the logical choice.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

This is a tremendous opportunity for Japan to up its game, and align so much of its systems and processes with global practice to gain competitive advantage.

The 外圧 overseas pressure over Tohoku and Fukushima will intensify.

Sleepwalking's over, boys!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The biggest reason why Tokyo won was simple: they have the ground transportation infrastructure in place to handle the expected large crowds during the Summer Games. Indeed, much of today's commuter railroads and subway lines in Tokyo were originally built to accommodate the 1964 Summer Games and expanded upon since then.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

"He told delegates that the situation was “under control”"

If only it were true.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

toshiko: Suspension is over. Now, Japan can plan huge ad income profit to help Fukushima and Tohoku victims area. Hope Spain will economically grow. Hope Turkey will be peace. Hope Any Japanese cities will not try for next Olympic.

You're joking, right? They've done little to help them and it's been two and a half years. What are those people supposed to do, wait another 6 and a half years for help?

I've no doubt Tokyo will do an excellent job but I was really hoping Istanbul would get it. Everyone keeps saying Japan will have Fukushima under control by 2020 but is not willing to give Turkey the same benefit of the doubt about earlier riots. Also, Japan has had the Olympics three times already. That's more than enough.

They've got them now though so well done and get going! Get Real is right, this is an opportunity to up its game, not to mention to stop lying and downplaying the situation north of us.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Japan's Fukushima will be under a lot more scrutiny now (from overseas) than before. I'd like to think Japan will rise to the occasion and get their stuff sorted, but based on events so far it's more likely the pressure to save face will be too much for them.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Congrats to Tokyo. I expect some good games there.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Thank God my intuition was right on target and I was the first on JT site who had declared Tokyo the winner on long ago !!!

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Congratulations, Tokyo and Japan!

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Congratulations Tokyo and of course Japan! it has been too long since the last games.

now to see if i can convince my company to send me to the Tokyo offices for those weeks.......... ;- )

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I am of mixed mind on this, I mean there is very little support for the games in Japan, Fukushima etc are in dire need to REAL help which there are not getting. All three cities going for these games all had major problems making the IOC likely wish there was a forth choice so they didn't have to decide to pick the best of the worst ............

At least Tokyo getting the games should force the govt to start getting serious about Fukushima & the rest of Tohoku.

Time will tell I suppose

1 ( +4 / -3 )

prssck: If you live in USA, I am very sure you can watch Olympic games better than you go to Tokyo that will be difficult to get tickets. IOC will give contracts to NBC, etc because USA media gives huge contract money.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Well, Abe's stated economic goal was to spur inflation, and I can't think of a better way to do it than hosting the Olympics!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Well, congrats to Tokyo. At least we'll be able to watch the Games in real time.

Next comes the benefits to the construction companies, the suffering of people in general due to tax increases, and the continued suffering of the people of Tohoku -- who were used to get the bid.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

Congratulation Tokyo !.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

toshiko: "Daijob: wrote Arigatou correctly while many write Arigato. What is Shogakko, Hoserfella? ShouGakkou is proper way. I am a Japanese. Tr5ust me, there is no Shogakko. Anyway, Daijob must be better teacher in Japan. Olympic comes, Japanese can;t fool Daijob but easily to laugh Hiosefella."

You ought to improve your English before trying to bash someone about their Japanese written in ROMAJI. Your comment smacks of the kind of arrogance and exact reason why Japan should not have the games. I had a friend like you (notice the past tense) who argued that "it's not Judo, it's Judou! That is why foreigners are changing the rules to win!" And for the record there are at least three different systems for writing Japanese in Roman characters: Hebon-shiki, Nippon-shiki, and the one with the accents over the extended vowel sounds. If you are going to insist that people write Youko instead of Yoko or that it be spelled 'tuka' instead of 'tsuka' go ahead, but don't be surprised when they start calling the person "YOU (as in yourself) ko" or saying "tooka". 'Arigato' is perfectly correct as it is not being written in Japanese.

Heda_Madness: "Paying taxes doesn't constitute doing lots for the people of Tohoku. I'd be interested to know what you have done aside from that."

The question is what the Olympics are going to bring them besides more grief and empty promises. Yeah, of course, they'll make some silly mascot from Fukushima to greet people at the games, but really -- all the billions that will go towards tearing down Golden Gai and building structures that will be in the red after the games are done could have gone towards getting people out of the shelters they are STILL in despite government promises and promises of compensation by TEPCO. These people are STILL being used and abused. Winning the games will give a few people up there a boost in morale, I have no doubt, but it will make a whole lot more bitter and angry that the bid was won by them being used. The governor of Fukushima is now laughing his way to the bank, no doubt, but the people IN Fukushima are suffering.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Super great news!!!! Congrats to Tokyo from beyond Japan's borders.

RR

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Oh come on... those arguing and asserting points that you have absolutely no way of knowing - grow the proverbial up.

Time for celebration. 2019 - RWC. 2020 - Olympics. Fantastic stuff!

3 ( +7 / -5 )

now the good news comes along with huge applause from the crowd, they had been working hard to reach this end (and they deserve "Congratulations"),

hopefully they would continue that hardwork and not turn blind eyes on what most matters for the country these days, especially for Fukushima residents, radioactive leakages and the like.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

unfortunately the only people who really get anything from is the people in Tokyo, after the 2 week party is over the rest of the country will be paying for it with higher taxes, 10% is only the begginning. and how in the world are the people affected by the earthquake/tsunami going to benefit from something thats being held it Tokyo, heres an idea how about give them all some free tickets, NO dont think thats going to happen.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Can't people just say they like seeing sports, therefore the Tokyo Olympics will be a great thrill for them. Dressing it up with all this cock and bull about inspiring the people left homeless after the Tsunami is a bit rich. I'm sure they would be better served if they had jobs and somewhere to live; seeing Koji Murofushi tossing his orb about is only going to be a transitory experience. When did the Olympics get so important?

6 ( +10 / -4 )

@Globalwatcher I don't understand. You and your many friends on this forum keep predicting - with great certainty - the collapse of Japan's economy in the near future, weighed down by its fiscal debt. How on earth will Japan prepare-hold the Games with an economy in collapse?

You should be issuing warnings, not offering congratulations. Unless.....

0 ( +5 / -5 )

fukushima was in no way a matter to worry about as olympics are long away. however the disaster or post disaster problems may have 'worked' to create a sympathy wave for Japan. but besides all of this, Tokyo really deserved it and there it is. congratulations!!!

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Congratulations Tokyo! I'll start planning about the event so I can have best olympic experience.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Looks like China wont attack

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@don-in-japan

Guys, respectfully: do you think you could share emails and trash each other there? No-one wants to read it. Thanks.

I couldn't agree more ! And as for those who keep thumbing down the people thinking how much Tohoku is NOT going to benefit from the games - you bunch of hypocrites ! Haven't you noticed where all the money seems to have "disappeared to" so far... ???

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Toukyou, omedetou gozaimasu!!!!! Ganbare yo!!!!! :)

(Congratulations, Tokyo!!!!! Good Luck!!!!! :) )

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Why so bitter, some of you. Tokyoites , congrats from Iwate! Istanbul would've been equally great though!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

7 years and billions of yen all for just two weeks in 2020, very few Olympic cites have made profit from a games, and Tokyo certainly wont be one of them. but its fine as all Japan will pay for it in higher taxes, 10% will look low compared to 10-15years from now. only Tokyo will get all the new white elephants to gleam over the rest of the country will be working for it for 50 years.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

HECK YEAH!!!!! omedetou gozaimasu......Japan!!!!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

smithinjapan, you'll be able to watch Japanese athletes in real time, with a few so-called comedians and ex-tennis players screaming out "Ganbarre Nippon" for atmosphere, but that's about it. On the bright side, the government was going to waste this money anyway, so at least the Japanese people get a party in return for all this money now.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

butakun: Why so bitter, some of you.

I think people have been pretty clear about why the disagree with this decision, or haven't you been reading the comments? And for the record, disagreeing with something like this and looking at things realistically instead of with rose-colored glasses doesn't make one bitter, not unless you've ingested The Secret whole, that is.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

A national debt of One quadrillion yen and counting and a further conservative estimate of 1.5 trillion yen needed to host the olympics plus the planned increase in consumption tax as just the recipe for self destruction.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Terrible, terrible decision.

-7 ( +6 / -14 )

I totally knew Tokyo would win. Madrid has been in deep recession for a few years now and unfortunately will still continue in the coming years. Istanbul gave it a great shot but I think the political instability in neighbouring countries, particularly the current situation in Syria is a big concern.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

hatmax

I totally knew Tokyo would win. Madrid has been in deep recession for a few years now and unfortunately will still continue in the coming years. Istanbul gave it a great shot but I think the political instability in neighbouring countries, particularly the current situation in Syria is a big concern.

Japan has been in recession for more than 20years and has the largest national debt in world One quadrillion yen that is growing at a rate of millions of yen per second.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Yay !

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Awesome, congratulations Japan! Hopefully TEPCO can get the situation under control at Fukushima by then.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Hopefully they've learned from the last Tokyo Olympics when others were forced to run and win under the Japanese flag. But given the nationalist bent that is the trend, I truly wonder if this Olympics will see a more welcoming Japan or a return to the more isolated one.

Make it good, make it fun, but most importantly, make it TRULY welcome and drop the nationalistic garbage.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Congrats Japan!!!!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Well, that's gonna be 2,511 days left until the 2020 Tokyo Olympic starts. Can't wait. The last two years left before the Olympics will take the longest. Do you guys remember Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup. That felt forever.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Terrible, terrible decision.

Care to elucidate, Mr. Doom and Gloom?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Well done Tokyo!

I'll definitely be there!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Congratulations Japan! Well-done.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

It'll be nice to see it real time, that's for sure. I'll stick to the TV, though. Ticket costs are going to be extremely high, and the venues packed.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Congrats to Tokyo. Gonna be an expensive trip for the few people who can come over here. Airfare will be pretty high (summer is the peak season anyway), hotels will be a killer, and eating out will be very high too. Start saving now for those who plan on coming. Other than than, great choice.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Now four times the games host, it seems a lot in 50 years for one country, doesn't it?

The US has hosted 8 times, France 5.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Congratulations, Tokyo has won the Olympics...!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

To our friends in Turkey, thanks, and hope to see the games in your fine city soon!

9 ( +8 / -1 )

Otsukare sama to the Tokyo bid team! They really put together the finest bid in Olympic history. This Olympics is a symbol that Japan has fully recovered from the tsunami.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Bravo Tokyo, Japan!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Well, this will give Tokyo good reason to fix things. The last time it was in Tokyo, they used the occasion as a reason to ban ox carts from the 23 wards. What will it be this time?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

What is the relationship between Tohoku restoration and the Olympics exactly? Tokyo won the games, not Japan. Tokyo will finance them, and it is a rich city. Anyway, 1/4 of the funding will come from the US via broadcast rights. If the national debt is 1 quadrillion yen, what does it matter if you host an olympiad, or a million olympiads? Would not hosting the Olympics really change the debt scenario? I think as a shot in the arm for the Japanese its potential value is enormous. Banzai!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

anyone else find Mami Sato's speech extremely awkward to watch? I'm sure she was told to make certain facial expressions but the timing seemed really random. Then again the Japanese dubbing might have thrown me off..

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Congratulation!!! As a Korean. Despite our differences on few issues historically. I am honestly happy for Japan for the selection. Long live Japan and Long live the greater East Asia!!!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Besides the economic incentive, Japan put on the table many proposals, from a new dopping test to the use of the web ESAGIL (http://esagil.org) to check the symptoms of athletes online. In fact that website, produced by an international team of doctors based in New York, is actually directed by a Spanish doctor.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Congratulations Tokyo... I was a "Turkish Torch Bearer in 1964 for Tokyo Olympics". I hope will bear again for Tokyo in 2020 if god permits ! Please click http://www.maratonturk.com to read MaratonTurk's news related with 2020 Olympics. Please also click http://www.maratonturk.com/mesale to see 1964 Olympic pictures.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

IOC will be choosing which of 4 sports will be chosen for 2020 Olympic. Wrestling, Squash)spell?), Softball, Baseball. Hope Tokyo Olympic will generate plenty of Japan Inc. advertisement and provide Japan plenty money to Fukushima and Tohoku area rehabilitation, TV medias will give huge contract money to IOC. There are 3 million people in Tokyo. Hope ticket sales are big. Some people wrote Tokyo is too crowded but crowded cities generate better ticket sales. It will be profitable in 2020.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Does anybody knows how to go about volunteers for the Olympics?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

People talk about cost and Japan's increasing debt, but Tokyo already has the infrastructure in place to host such an epic event. That, paired with Japan's unmatched organisational strengths, should make for a very fruitful Olympics!

(I'm Sydney born and was fortunate enough to have experienced the 2000 Olympics and let me tell you, the transformation that Sydney underwent was nothing short of amazing. I also happen to own one of the four tables used in the table tennis arena ;) )

4 ( +5 / -1 )

sighclops" Back when 5 was in girls middle school, we used to call ping pong. The mose popular sport for girls then. You have a collectors item, .

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The call for volunteers will begin in 2016.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"but Tokyo already has the infrastructure in place to host such an epic event."

That's simply not true. Most of the venues will be built on artificial islands on reclaimed land. The main stadium and Yoyogi will be thoroughly redeveloped.

Tokyo has a dearth of sporting facilities, given its huge population. Tennis court reservations are impossible on weekends, and public pools in summer are overflowing in human bodies, unlike anywhere you'd find in a Western country.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Great stuff, 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympics should make that a great time for sports here.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Congratulations, Tokyo. Gambarimashou.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

but Tokyo already has the infrastructure in place to host such an epic event

maybe not Tokyo itself, but Japan is small enough they could have held events outside of Tokyo if they weren't so greedy. For the London Olympics, they held some soccer matches in Scotland and Wales, after all.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Cool.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Excellent. Something great to look forward to! Tokyo will do a fantastic job as host!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

JeffLeeSep. 08, 2013 - 12:00PM JST

@Globalwatcher I don't understand. You and your many friends on this forum keep predicting - with great certainty - the collapse of Japan's economy in the near future, weighed down by its fiscal debt. How on earth will Japan prepare-hold the Games with an economy in collapse?

You should be issuing warnings, not offering congratulations. Unless.....

My position remains "No" to Tokyo as Tokyo has no risk management prepared for another possible earthquake strike. Apparently Japan has shown to the world they cannot even clean up Fukushima leaks.

The possible effects I see from Tokyo Olympics 2020 is that the world eyes are now focusing more on Fukushima clean ups and Japanese sovereign debt.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Congratulation!!! As a Korean. Despite our differences on few issues historically. I am honestly happy for Japan for the selection. Long live Japan and Long live the greater East Asia!!!

Props to you sir .... I don't see any congratulations from the other (usually vocal) Korean contributors to this site. Too bad ....

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

IOC will be choosing which of 4 sports will be chosen for 2020 Olympic. Wrestling, Squash)spell?), Softball, Baseball

If I'm understanding your question correctly, no easy feat, it's already been decided, wrestling is staying in.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Ambrosia: even softball and baseball teamed up to be chosen, wrestling was chosen.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

What do you mean "even softball and baseball teamed up"? Are you suggesting other sports should team up or do you mean "even though" baseball and softball team up wrestling was still chosen? Try for better accuracy and I won't always have to ask you to clarify what you've written.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

excellent! I think It might be possible for me to be there that year!!!

What I wonder is Which Kamen Rider will be the host that year

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I think it's fair to say (???) that folks have been a bit negative on this website in the past about Tokyo and the Olympics . . . so it's good to see mostly (!!!) positive responses above.

Congrats to everyone . . . especially Yuki Ota, who everyone says did a great job with his presentation.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites