Japan Press Weekly

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2011 October 19 - 25 [TOKYO]

Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly approves 2020 Olympics bid

The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly on October 18 adopted a resolution for Tokyo to bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games by a majority vote at its plenary session. The Japanese Communist Party and other two groups opposed the resolution.

JCP representative of the assembly Azegami Miwako criticized the resolution as going against public opinion as 82% of Tokyoites are in opposition to Tokyo’s participation in the bid.

Azegami pointed out that many are calling for the support of reconstruction and disaster prevention measures rather than bidding to host the Olympics, and demanded that the Tokyo metropolitan government help in the recovery of the northeastern region and take all-out steps to decontaminate areas with radioactivity detected in Tokyo.

Tokyo’s administration, governed by Ishihara Shintaro, insists that disaster-related measures focusing on post-disaster recovery be based on personal responsibility. Azegami stressed that Tokyo needs to implement measures focusing on disaster prevention to protect people’s lives and properties. The JCP representative also stated that a program to protect Tokyoites from radiation contamination should be immediately initiated.

Governor Ishihara is looking forward to hosting the Olympics. He says, “In Olympic bidding campaigns, there are wheels within wheels and other wheels within those wheels. It’s so dirty.” He thinks that any campaign to win a bid is awash in hunting to get money. He said, “If we don’t grease the machine, Tokyo will lose.”

Regarding Ishihara’s comments, Azegami warned, “His underhanded method of deal making will trample on the very spirit of the Olympic Charter.”