Tokyo Summer Olympics 2020: As the next year’s Summer Olympics is approaching fast, Japan is busy preparing for the mega sports event. The event that will see the participation of more than 200+ nations, the host nation will also see an increase in the number of tourists from across the world during the Summer Games. The event, that will have the opening ceremony on 24th July 2020, the country has been preparing for it since the last 3 years. The Organizers have put in efforts from their end to ensure the event is conducted in the best possible and an eco-friendly manner. Already tight on budget, the organizers have had the challenge to settle and arrange everything within the budget. However, the organizing committee has taken on the challenge by taking the environment-friendly approach.
While most of the funds are coming from the taxpayers of the country, the Japanese citizens have also contributed in many ways to ensure that their country conducts the mega sports event successfully.
Here is how the country is preparing for the next year’s Summer Games:
#1. Increasing the Transportation and Commuting Options
Since there will be a huge number of tourists coming next year and staying during the Olympics, Japan government has started constructing additional alternative route roads that will help the athletes and tourists to commute without any hassle. Already known to have the well organized public transportation system in the whole world, the Japanese government has been making sure that by making additional routes the transportation efficiency increases to the whole new level. This decision has been taken into consideration knowing the fact that the country has the most number of high traffic rail stations in the whole world.
#2. Constructing a New National Arena
It was already pre-decided that a new National Olympic Stadium will be constructed by reconstructing the old National Olympic Stadium that was used in 1964. This decision came into effect after the announcement of the host of the 2020 Summer Olympics. The construction of the Stadium started at the end of 2016 and as planned the construction will get completed by the end of November this year. A budget of ¥149 billion has been allotted and the architect of the project is Kengo Kuma. The stadium is expected to house the spectators between 68000 to 80000. Japan’s International reputation in front of the Olympics hosting nations is very well dependent on the construction of the National Arena.
#3. Regulations on Smoking
The organizing committee is looking to impose a ban on smoking products and vaping devices within the premises of the Stadium. This initiative has been taken to reduce the incidents of passive smoking to keep the public places and the Olympics premises clean for the athletes. This has already received criticism that tourists might not like this decision taken by the Tokyo organizing Committee. In fact, in order to smoke the visitors may have to go out into small confined areas of smoking. Convenience store chain Seven-Eleven Japan Co. has even asked approx 1000 franchise stores last year to take down the ashtrays from their storefronts. Family restaurant chain Saizeriya Co. has also decided to impose the ban on smoking at all their outlets by this year’s September. However, the major concern of this regulation would be the challenge to impose this rule on so many smokers and that seems a bit difficult. At the same time according to people connected with the Games, cigarette butts being scattered in the game premises and on the roads and garbage cans around creates a very bad impression. So this decision has had a mixed response from everyone.
#4. Increase the use of English Language
Volunteers coming from every part of Japan will be volunteering in the upcoming Summer Olympics next year. Knowing the fact that English speaking problem still prevails in the country, the Japanese government has taken an initiative to re-install the English language in the syllabus of the schools. It will be beneficial for those who will be volunteering in the next year’s Summer Games in Tokyo. Apart from the volunteering students, others are also keen on learning and improving their English language in order to be able to interact with the foreigners visiting the country during the games. Some companies are also working on their English language to serve as the hotline 24*7 services for the foreigners for in case they need any kind of assistance. There is also a demand for professionals, such as doctors and nurses, to speak to visitors or competitors in English. Japan’s government and businesses are already aware of the fact that’s why they want to use the Olympics to boost tourism and global trade and to present a positive image of Japan to the world.
#5. Revamping the Cultural and Heritage Sites
A lot of renovation and restoration works is going on at many tourist attraction places and Heritage sites in Japan. The heritage sites that have reached the perceived end-life of 40+ years, especially with regard to earthquake-proofing. The Hiroshima Peace Museum, Floating Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine, Yakushiji Temple, Kumamoto Castle, Tosho-Gu in Nikko and Himeji Castle are amongst the heritage sites to be getting the revamp. Feeling the wrath of God, the country has seen so many destructions due to the havoc of nature. The fact does not amuse the people that the renovation and reconstruction work is going on because of the next year’s Tokyo Olympics in 2020. This work has been massively appreciated by the citizens of Japan and also by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
