Japan Press Weekly

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2016 September 28 - October 4 TOP3 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Tokyo Governor decides to review planned facilities for 2020 Summer Games

September 30, 2016

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko announced on September 29 that she will review the metropolitan government plan to build three large facilities for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. This is a reflection of the demands made by the group of Japanese Communist Party members of the metropolitan assembly.

The metropolitan government will consider the following items: use an existing boat and canoe race course in Miyagi Prefecture instead of building a new course in the coastal area facing Tokyo Bay at an estimated cost of 49.1 billion yen in taxpayer money; renovate the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center instead of constructing a huge “Aquatics Center” at a cost of 68.3 billion yen; and cancel the planned construction of an “Ariake Arena” for basketball and volleyball games which is expected to cost 40.4 billion yen and instead utilize an existing exhibition hall in Tokyo.

The JCP metropolitan assemblypersons’ group has consistently called for the use of present sports facilities for the Games, urging the Tokyo government to reconsider the construction project of the three above-mentioned facilities.

On September 26, JCP assembly members made representations to the governor, warning that holding a boat or canoe race in Tokyo Bay is extremely dangerous because racers will be exposed to strong winds and high waves. They also pointed to a possibility of bid-rigging on the planned construction, citing the fact that Taisei Corporation, a major general contractor, won a bid for the work with a bid ratio of 99.99% of the contract ceiling.

Past related article:
> Tokyo Olympics should not be used to provide big businesses with huge profits [October 20, 2016]