4. Toward a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games

Division of costs and other matters

Continuing, I would now like to speak about the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

First, concerning information disclosure, last month, we released the Host City Contract 2020, following discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee. The host city contract was also made public for the London and Rio Games.

Next, I would like to talk about the division of costs and other matters. Taking our responsibility as the host city seriously, and making solid fulfillment of that role the cornerstone of our efforts, the TMG has led discussions with relevant parties and working teams formed with local governments. Yesterday, at a meeting of the liaison council with relevant local governments, the TMG, Organising Committee, central government, and local governments where competition venues are located, reached an agreement on the basic direction for the division of roles and expenses for the Games.

Concerning venues, for facilities owned by the TMG or other prefectures or cities, the TMG will bear expenses such as construction costs and leasing fees for temporary facilities to be used only at the time of the Games. Regarding Games operations, it was agreed that the TMG will bear the costs of transportation and security in areas around venues in Tokyo to minimize impact on the lives of the people of Tokyo at the time of the Games.

The relevant parties agreed on the basic concept for their sharing of respective roles and costs. The Organising Committee is projecting a 100 billion yen increase in revenue. The central government will bear expenses such as the costs of the Paralympics, as well as security and doping measures. In addition, through our close examination of the cost of the Games, projected to be between 1.6 trillion and 1.8 trillion yen, we have been able to reduce costs by over 100 billion yen from last December. I believe that such developments constitute major progress in gaining the understanding of the people of Tokyo regarding expenses.

This time, the TMG took the lead in coordinating matters as the host city, and an agreement was reached between the relevant parties. We will continue to work toward achieving further reduction of costs and greater efficiency, and while securing the necessary financial resources, we will responsibly support this agreement. Furthermore, to manage the progress of Games preparations under this framework, the TMG, Organising Committee, central government, and relevant local governments will work together to realize a concrete mechanism to strengthen cost management and budget execution and control.

Through this agreement, we have been able to firmly build the foundation for an all-Japan approach. All relevant parties will stand united in efforts to accelerate preparations to make the Games a great success.

People of Tokyo and Japan unite for a successful Games

I feel that the people of Tokyo and Japan are steadily coming together with us as we prepare for the Games. As part of the project to reclaim precious metals for the 2020 Games medals, more than 30,000 digital devices were collected at the TMG main building in the first three months. Some 52,000 people came to NO LIMITS SPECIAL, an event held over two days during the Golden Week holidays to convey the attractions of the Paralympic Games. More than 530,000 people have participated in TEAM BEYOND, a website for para-sport fans; we want to grow this into an even bigger team. Through these and other efforts, including initiatives taken by schools designated to support para-sports and the holding of boccia friendship matches among special needs schools, elementary schools, and junior high schools, we will build great enthusiasm for the Paralympic Games along with the Olympic Games. We will also leverage these endeavors to make our mature city even more advanced, including such measures as removing physical barriers for easier access and creating a society where people help each other.

On June 24, the national rugby teams of Japan and Ireland will play a test match. The Irish team is very strong and one of Japan’s pool opponents in the Rugby World Cup 2019. I am sure that the test match in Tokyo will allow spectators to see up close the world’s top level of strength, skill, and speed, and raise expectations for the 2020 Games as well.

The period from July 24 through September 6 is when the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in three years. During this period this year, we will step up momentum-building efforts, including programs featuring radio calisthenics, which everyone in Japan is familiar with, to impress upon people around Japan that this is the Olympic and Paralympic period. We will boost the Tokyo Cultural Program through a Tokyo-wide effort, by providing extensive support to activities in which many citizens can take part. Next year will mark the 150th year since Edo was renamed Tokyo in 1868. We think that celebrating this 150th anniversary of Tokyo with the citizens of Tokyo through various projects presents an opportunity to deepen their fondness for Tokyo and strengthen unity for the 2020 Games. Tokyo is in the global limelight as the host city for the Games. We will further enhance our endeavors to raise expectations among the people of Tokyo and Japan, and will definitely deliver a successful Games through a nationwide effort.