Tokyo 2020 – How innovation-driven Olympics overshadow societal problems

After Japan’s first Olympic Games hosted in 1964, the country is now getting ready to host the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. 1964 was a true success for Japan. The country was in real need of economic development and international integration in the post-war period and the Olympic Games appeared to be a solution. Organizing the event showed the world how Japan was rebuilt and rebranded. New infrastructures for athletes, tourist, etc. allowed the country to develop to a greater extent. As a strong transportation network including railways and highways was developed, hotels and sanitation were constructed as well, still benefiting the country today. Known as a pioneer country in technologies, it was already the case back then, when the so called “science fiction” 1964 Olympics in Tokyo were more innovative than ever with the first use of photo finishes and electronic timing systems, all of which were broadcast live. The objectives were more than reached with the country benefiting from the economic boom for a few years, becoming 4 years later the world’s second-largest economy and Asia’s biggest.

After learning Japan was hosting the 2020 Olympics, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated that Japan would “use this opportunity to stop 15 years of economic recession and deflation”. Is it possible?  

The country was always eager to dominate the technological sector and planned for 2020 what will probably be the most innovative games in history, featuring all kind of robots, automated fuel-cell cars, man-made meteor showers, the event being covered by a 8K broadcast delivered over 5G networks all around the world. From monitoring the event to serving food and guiding spectators to their seats by way of lifting heavy loads, robots will be an integral part of the whole process. Moreover, under the environmental constraint, Japan committed to a sustainable plan with zero carbon, zero waste and 100% renewable energy at official venues. 

Another challenge addressed is the empowerment of para-athletes influencing urban-planning with new wheel-chair access in subways and buses for the local population. Celebrating para-athletes and including them is a way to change the attitude toward people with disabilities.

According to the Bank of Japan, these Olympic Games are a way to boost the economy, just like in 1964, namely through tourism and constructions. Tourism always increases dramatically from the moment a country is chosen as the host, until the Games where the country is at its peak. In the next few years, numbers are set to remain quite stable, the country still benefiting from media coverage and the Olympic spirit. According to the Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, between 2013 and 2016, the number of foreign visitors has more than doubled, escalating from about 10 million to almost 25 million and could potentially reach 33 million by 2020 and 60 million by 2030. Tourists’ consumption of Japanese food, electronics and culture-related attractions is increasing demand. A lot of new constructions are also needed for Olympics, not only stadiums but also hotels, restaurant and transportation. This pushes GDP and is a great help for employment, provided the investments are wise and useful in the long run. But the benefits from Olympics are sometimes exaggerated or non-existent. It is not rare to see host countries with debts and maintenance liabilities - take the example of Rio.

New stadium constructed for the Games in Tokyo

We have to keep in mind that it’s hardly a bed of roses and 2020 will be no 1964. There is no recovery from the war, no country to build, Japan is already an ultramodern country regarding innovation whose new ideas won’t change the country in its core. These Games will be “a facelift, not a makeover”, writes Fumika Mizuno in the Japan Times. Today’s problem with Japanese society lies in gender inequality, the lack of diversity and moreover a deeply patriarchal and aging society. Robots and tourists can neither boost fertility rates nor change cultural norms. Japan, a pioneer in technologies, with its “society 5.0” is ranked next to Saudi Arabia when it comes to gender equality. More than empowerment of women, the country also needs changes in mentality, accepting ethnic minorities and in stopping discrimination in the housing and job market.

So will the 2020 Summer Olympic Games change the future of Japan? Are the Government priorities misplaced? Won't it take much more than a sporting competition to transform a country?

We hope to have the answer soon enough.

Estelle M.  

730 Words 

Sources :

“2020 Tokyo Olympic Games can't rescue Japan” FUMIKA MIZUNO, 6 Aug 2019, the Japan times

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2019/08/06/commentary/japan-commentary/2020-tokyo-olympic-games-cant-rescue-japan/#.Xbhf_-hKjIW

“The Tokyo, Japan 2020 Olympic Games -Economic Impacts and Issues” Nicolas Pfeffer Mar 23, Medium 

https://medium.com/@nicolaspfeffer/the-tokyo-japan-2020-olympic-games-economic-impacts-and-issues-327746dd52e

“Tokyo 2020: The Olympic effect on Japan equity investors”, Akira Fuse, April 26, 2018, Capital group : https://www.capitalgroup.com/europe/capitalideas/article/tokyo-olympic-effect.html

“The Economics of Hosting the Olympic Games”, James McBride, January 19 2018, Council on foreign relations : https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/economics-hosting-olympic-games