Governor attends a four-party meeting to discuss the Olympic and Paralympic Games

On Tuesday, November 29, Governor Koike attended a meeting of the four main parties involved in organizing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to discuss the review of the plan for Tokyo 2020, and other issues related to the Games in Tokyo. Representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG), the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, and the central government were involved in the discussion.

The governor pointed out that since the Olympic and Paralympic Games were first held in Tokyo in 1964, the circumstances surrounding Japanese society have changed, in terms of population, the economy, and so on. She said that Tokyo 2020 should be a Games which take into account what happens beyond 2020, and should focus on realizing growth for Japan and for Tokyo. She also said that the next Games need to pursue sustainability and put into practice various recommendations, and that cost cutting measures and a cap on expenditure will be put in place. Regarding how to manage the overall governance of the Games and other such issues, the governor noted that there are many different opinions and objectives to consider.

Next, the governor laid out the following points regarding the TMG’s stance on the review of the Games venues:

• Rowing and canoe venue
  After reviewing the costs, the TMG decided on constructing the Sea Forest Waterway and using the Miyagi Naganuma Boat Race Course in Miyagi Prefecture as a pre-Games training camp site.
• Swimming venue
  The new Olympic Aquatics Centre should be built in Koto-ku, but the number of spectator seats will be reduced from 20,000 to 15,000. Downsizing work will not be carried out after the Games.
• Volleyball venue
  A final decision on whether to construct the Ariake Arena or use the existing Yokohama Arena will be made towards the end of December, after reviewing a number of issues.

After the governor spoke, discussions continued on various issues including the Ariake Arena, the budget, and the operating plan for Tokyo 2020.