5. Unifying our efforts to deliver a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games

Next, I will speak about the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Change of venues for the marathon and race walking events

I had consistently maintained that the best option would be for Tokyo to hold the marathon and race walking events. Despite my effort, however, the decision has been made to move the events to Sapporo. I am terribly disappointed by this decision when I think about the various preparations made by local organizations along the routes, such as the municipalities, community associations, and shopping districts, to enliven the events, the residents who looked forward to cheering on the runners and walkers, and the athletes who were training for the course and climate in Tokyo.

Tokyo, as the host city, will continue to move forward and devote all its resources to prepare for the Games and build momentum. We are determined to lead the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 to success under the concerted effort of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, Japanese government, IOC, IPC and other relevant organizations, and together with the citizens of Tokyo and the rest of Japan.

Steadily advance preparations and build momentum for the Games to meet the world’s expectations

With regard to the new permanent facilities the TMG is in charge of constructing, the Ariake Arena will be completed next week, and the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, the only remaining facility to be built, is scheduled to be completed in February next year. The training of City Cast volunteers, who will serve as the face of the host city, is proceeding smoothly, and host municipalities for the Paralympic Torch Relay were announced last month. Momentum to deliver a successful Tokyo 2020 Games together with the people of Tokyo and Japan is growing. The successful applicants for the Olympic torchbearers will also be finally announced this month. Moreover, as the preparations progress, verification of the operational capabilities of the Games using test events has entered a stage where we can rehearse under conditions close to the actual events. We will set up a stage where the world’s top athletes can fully display their skills and abilities, and will share the inspiration and excitement that arise from there with the world. We will make every effort to meet the expectations placed on Tokyo as the host city by making each day count.

Measures against traffic congestion and heat

For the alleviation of traffic congestion, which is an essential ingredient for smooth operation of the Games, by practicing what we preach, the TMG first updated its 2020 Action Plan, presenting new measures such as moving up the schedule of TMG-ordered construction work. In addition, to promote understanding on and increase incentives for the Smooth Biz initiative, we awarded companies that had implemented excellent measures during this summer’s “Smooth Biz Initiative Promotion Period,” where we saw a certain amount of success in mitigating congestion. “The Winter Smooth Biz Period” is scheduled next month. We will continue to actively urge companies to work for the firm establishment of Travel Demand Management and adopt various workstyles. Also, in an effort to disperse traffic on the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressways during the Games, I have submitted a bill to the current regular session of the Assembly to give nighttime toll discounts on all lines for ETC users and increase the daytime tolls for private vehicles using sections within Tokyo by 1,000 yen. The combination of these measures will allow us, along with Tokyo’s citizens and companies, to realize a balance betweem “smooth transportation during the Games” and “(continuation of) economic activities and Tokyo residents’ lives.” I would like to ask for your kind understanding and cooperation on these matters.

As for anti-heat measures, we will further bolster our efforts through the supplementary budget based on the results of test events conducted this summer. Specifically, we will set up more rest areas and shade, which are effective at mitigating heat and were also well received by spectators, to secure shaded areas centering around the competition venues, distribute more neck coolers, and provide beverages as a new measure. We will also encourage Tokyo residents to take measures on an individual basis, such as wearing hats. The TMG will employ a multi-layered approach, combining hard and soft measures to counter heat.

With respect to the improvement of water quality at Odaiba Marine Park, we will embark on an environmental reform in waters around the competition venue by using dredged sand from Kozushima island next month. The relevant bureaus of the TMG will continue working together on this matter.