JAPAN: Japan names its Olympics minister, ahead of 2020 Tokyo Games

Record ID: 332610

  • Title: JAPAN: Japan names its Olympics minister, ahead of 2020 Tokyo Games
  • Date: 13th September 2013
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (RECENT - SEPTEMBER 8, 2013) (REUTERS) PEOPLE CHEERING AS JAPAN IS ANNOUNCED AS THE HOST COUNTRY FOR 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES WOMEN CHEERING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CHEERING
  • Embargoed: 28th September 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA1QFQMOSWM53YAP5SVE00X2HZ1
  • Story Text: Japan named Hakubun Shimomura, its new Olympics minister on Friday (September 13), in charge of the 2020 Tokyo Games.
    Shimomura, currently the Education, Culture and Sports minister, was appointed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in charge of overseeing the process leading up to the Olympics and Paralympics of the summer 2020, and the government liaison with the Olympic organisation committee.

    "The 2020 Olympics will bring the third social transition to Japan following the Meiji Restoration and the end of the World War II. Through our all-out efforts, we'd like to make the most of this opportunity to recreate Japan both in terms of hardware and software," Shimomura said in a news conference after the announcement.
    Tokyo was awarded the 2020 summer Olympic Games on Saturday (September 7), beating Istanbul in a head-to-head vote.
    The victory is expected to boost premier Abe's popularity, and could potentially spur his signature pro-growth policies, so-called "Abenomics," for the world's third-biggest economy.

    "We will build up plans to make the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics more than just a sporting event," Shimomura said.
    Tokyo is planning to incorporate existing venues and has estimated a non-Games budget of about $4.4 billion, compared with $3.4 billion for the actual event.
    The city touted a $4.5 billion war chest in the bank and its ability to tap into the vast markets of Asia, as well as its reputation for getting things done.
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