November 15, 2012

Several civic groups, including sports-related organizations, on November 13 requested that the Tokyo metropolitan government pull out of its bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games.

Tokyo’s quest to host the Olympics has been underway at the initiative of former Governor Ishihara Shintaro in a top-down manner, costing 7.5 billion yen with a desire to promote more urban development projects.

Petitioners said that it is reasonable for the Tokyo metropolitan government to scrap the plan now after the person in question resigned from his post as Tokyo governor.

They expressed their concerns over the possibility that Tokyoites may have to shoulder additional burdens later because the authorities underestimate the cost for needed repair and construction work of facilities to prepare to host the Olympic Games.

As another reason for wiping the slate clean, they cited the absence of proper measures to deal with earthquakes predicted to occur directly beneath the Tokyo metropolitan area.

They stated that the money being used for the invitation activities should be used for public services to protect Tokyo residents’ lives and safety.