With the 2020 Summer Olympics coming just around the corner in Tokyo, Japan, there have been many discussions about whether Japan should hold the event. Since the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that caused the Fukushima radiation plant meltdown, many people have been concerned with Japan’s capability of holding the event in regards to safety and their economic status. This project will mainly focus on describing the prospected economy boost and the plans that Japan has devised to make the Game as economically sustainable as possible, while addressing the health safety concerns related to the nuclear radiation. By incorporating information found in several sources of different mediums, this project analyzes and proves to citizens of Japan and other countries that the 2020 Olympics should be hosted in Tokyo, although Japan is still recovering from the damages done by the 2011 disasters, because it will bring positive change to their economy, environment, and citizens during and after the Games.

Founded in ancient Greece in the 8th Century BC, the Olympics was an event that consisted of a few different sports in which people from different city-states and kingdoms gathered to compete (Wikipedia). The Olympics has now evolved into a much bigger event where people from all over the world come together to one city to compete. With an event this huge, the hosting city is faced with great responsibility, such as making sure the infrastructure that are needed for the event is built on time to securing the safety of citizens of the host country and the visitors from around the world who will attend the event. As mentioned in Pham’s journal “Tokyo Smart City Development in Perspective of 2020 Olympics”, hosting the Olympics can have its disadvantages, such as having to interrupt normal activities and creating the risk of financial mismanagement, but it also comes with advantages, too (9). It can stimulate economic, social, urban, and environmental development (9). So, hosting the Olympics can be a challenge, but also a huge opportunity for a country.

In 2011, the Tohoku region of Japan was hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.1, the 4th most powerful earthquake in recorded history (Wikipedia). It led to damaged infrastructure, fires, and landslides, but it did not end there. The earthquake caused a tsunami with waves of 133 feet, consuming everything in its path, including homes, cars, and people (Wikipedia). Many people were left homeless with no electricity and water, forcing them to evacuate to shelters. The tsunami then triggered three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant to meltdown leading to radioactive leakage. People had to permanently leave their belongings and homes. These tragic events resulted in 15,894 deaths, 6,152 injured, and 2,562 missing (Wikipedia).

There has been a constant argument since Tokyo won the Olympic bid in 2013 about whether the event will give Japan an economic boost, and whether the boost, if present, will be significant enough to change the economy for the better.  By analyzing the economic changes of past Olympics, such as the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the London Olympics in 2012, economists can make predictions on the economic outcome of Japan. It was estimated that Beijing brought in $199 million and $59 million of welfare gains from international and national Olympic visitors respectively (Journalist’s Resource). Also, the UK Trade and Investment claimed in 2013 that the estimated economic benefit gained from the London Olympics was $9.9 billion pounds, which amounts to about $12,157,447,500.00 (NRI Papers). Data from past Olympic events shows that the event brings in a significant amount of money for the hosting country. The journal published by The Bank of Japan called “Economic Impact of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games” uses a chart created by Brückner and Pappa on data collected from the economic impact of the Olympic Games from 1950-2009 to claim that between the two to five-year period before the Games are held, there is a significant boost of about 10% in real GDP (5). The journal also states that countries that are picked for the Olympics tend to implement policies that leads to economic growth. In Japan’s case, it is the Trans-Pacific Partnership that they announced to join in 2013. Also, the increase in tourism and construction investment associated with the event are major factors that result in economic growth (Bank of Japan). The Bank of Japan also says that assuming the number of tourists increase with the current pace from 2011, the estimated number of annual visitors could reach 33 million by 2020 (7). Increase of tourism means more people spending money on things such as food, shopping, and places to stay. “The hotel sector is the most influenced by the Games due to the direct impact of Olympic-related arrivals and the resulting demand for short term accommodation” (John Lang LaSalle 6). Because of this, an increased number of hotels are expected to be built and construction leads to new jobs, which ultimately leads to increase in expenditure. The journal written by Maine International Trade Center called “Industry Opportunities: Japan 2020 Olympics” says that the Games will create about 150,000 new jobs and the estimated economic impact on Japan’s economy is $29.7 billion over the course of several years (12). Not only would hosting the Olympics bring in increase in foreign visitors to Japan during the Games, but after as well. More people will be aware of Japan’s traditional and contemporary culture. Toshiro Muto, chief executive officer of the Tokyo Organizing Company of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, says that “if the culture is communicated to the world, it could lead to a reevaluation of Japan” (MsMilkytheClown1). This can lead to repeat visitors after the Games, too, which would lead to an increase in revenue over time. Also, according to CNBC, Japan has set aside $4.5 billion from when they did not win the bid in 2016 (Twomey). The estimated cost of constructing infrastructure and facilities, as well as running the event, will only amount to 0.14% of the GDP in 2014, which indicates that Japan already has well developed infrastructure and an average GDP growth that is rising by roughly 0.2% to 0.3% from 2015-2018 (Bank of Japan 7, 16).  “Understandably, the larger the economy of the host city (and country), the smaller the economic impact from holding a large event as a percentage of the economy as a whole” (Kille). Many previous host countries were still considered “developing countries”, so compared to those countries, the magnitude GDP change would not be as significant for Japan, but that doesn’t mean the event would have no positive effect on their economy. 

Not only are the Games an opportunity for the athletes to show off their talents, but also for the host country to do so, too. There have been potential plans developed to make the 2020 Olympics as “smart” as possible, meaning that Japan will focus on how they can utilize their technological advancements to make the Games the most environmentally sustainable. Not only would implementing the plans be beneficial for Japan’s environment during the Games, but after them as well. Hosting the Games can be an opportunity to raise awareness and to push for a “green planet”. Since the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant meltdown, Japan needs to be able to supply the same amount of energy as the generation plants produced before they failed. So, the event can act as a way for Japan to show the rest of the world how far they have come from the 2011 disaster. The journal “Tokyo Smart City Development in Perspective of 2020 Olympics”, explains that the games can be made environmentally sustainable by integrating renewable sources, such as solar PV and hydrogen (Pham 5). By doing this, Japan would be able to save a significant amount of energy and lower carbon dioxide emissions. The Maine International Trade Center introduces some of the areas that can be improved, including environment, energy, and transportation technology, the tourism and hospitality industry, the tech industry, infrastructure, and the health industry. Some of the initiatives included in the environment, energy, and transportation technology section is the creation of a hydrogen powered Olympic Village and residential fuel cell generated energy. The residential facilities, buses, and training centers in the Olympic Village of Harumi would be hydrogen powered, while hydrogen fuel cells will generate energy to 150,000 new houses. In the tourism and hospitality industry, the creation of more apps for translation, geolocalisation, information access will be put into place to help make the visitors’ stay more convenient. For the tech industry, connectivity and big data and sensing are the things that would be improved. The goal is to provide 1 gigabit connection during the 2020 Olympic Games, while improving big data and sensing will be important in a big city like Tokyo, so they can easily gather information. For example, if an earthquake were to hit, it would be useful to be able to map out the damages done and the evacuation routes. In the infrastructure section, it explains how most of the construction would be on rebuilding or refurbishing the infrastructure that has already been built. So, there are no plans to build any additional major travel infrastructure for the 2020 Olympics. Last but not least, the health industry is expected to improve in that remote health monitoring would be able to check on athletes’ health during the Games. Toshiro Muto from the YouTube video called “Fukushima & Tokyo Olympics 2020 (Invisible Terrorism)” says “it’s extremely important to show the world how Japan has rebuilt” (MsMilkytheClown1). The Olympic Games would be a chance for Japan to show the 33 million tourists and to the rest of the world how Japan has comeback from the 2011 disaster.

Many people are concerned and unaware of whether it will be safe to host the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo after what happened at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. When Tokyo won the bid, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that the Games will indeed be safe, but of course there are speculations. According to the research in the article called “The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Fukushima and Japan’s economy”, evidence from the Chernobyl accident in 1986 and the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 indicate that the risk for visitors and residents in Tokyo are extremely low (Kille). The article also states that a research done in 2011 by the University of Pennsylvania on the aftermath of nuclear accidents indicate no short-term illnesses were caused by radiation, besides the 28 people who died because of the direct exposure by the radiation in Chernobyl (Kille). There would be no direct exposure to radiation at the 2020 Olympics because Fukushima is 145 miles away from Tokyo and has 12-18-mile exclusion zones, areas in which entry is forbidden (Kille). Plus, the Olympics only last 16 days, so even if visitors were to be exposed to small amounts of radiation, it would not be detrimental to their health. Food safety is also a concern for many. The same article also explains that researchers from Stony Brook University, the Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute of France, and Stanford University found that the additional doses of radioactive nuclides found in the Pacific Bluefin Tuna “are comparable to, or less than, the dose all humans routinely obtain from naturally occurring radionuclides in many food items, medical treatments, air travel, or other background sources” (Kille). But, according to research done by marine scientist Buesseler in National Geographic’s article called “Fukushima's Radioactive Water Leak: What You Should Know”, local fish in the Fukushima area were detected to have high enough levels of radiation that the Japanese Government has prohibited those fish to be caught and sold (Kiger). So, the risk to consuming contaminated foods would be nonexistent. A YouTube video posted last year called “Do the Japanese Feel Safe From Radiation (Fukushima)” interviews several random Japanese citizens on the street on whether they feel safe. Some questions that were asked include “is there anything you would do to keep yourself safe from the radiation exposure?”, “would you eat something that’s produced in Fukushima?”, “how bad do you think the radiation in Fukushima is at the moment?”, “have you ever considered leaving Japan because of the radiation exposure?” (AsianBoss). None of people interviewed said that they do anything in particular to keep themselves safe from the radiation exposure and that they have never thought about leaving Japan because of radiation. They do not seem to think the radiation in Fukushima poses any threat to their daily lives. When asked about whether they would eat something that is produced in Fukushima, without hesitation, everyone said that they would because the area is being decontaminated and that the food has to be up to Japan’s food safety standards to be sold. One citizen said that she feels like she is supporting them by eating food from Fukushima and that she has a friend who lives in an area in Fukushima that is safe. While it is understandable for many to be concerned, research shows that there will be no threat to visitors at the Olympics.

“The Tokyo Olympics is that one single bright spot” (TheJapanTimes). Thousands of people were affected by the 2011 disaster, and this event is a chance to bring hope and courage back to Japanese citizens. The increased amount of job opportunities that the event bring will give unemployed Japanese citizens an opportunity, possibly to even those who lost their homes and jobs from the nuclear meltdown. Jones Lang LaSalle says it is “a chance for the country to show the world its true cultural and economic strength” (Tokyo 2020: The Olympic Games Effect 6). 

One of the biggest international events a country can host is coming right around the corner for Japan. While some jumped up and down in joy when they heard Japan won the bid in 2013, some did not. Japan will be in the spotlight and the event will be their chance to showcase to the rest of the world how far they have come since 2011. From the technological advancements to the remodeled infrastructure and buildings, Japan is hoping to keep the legacy that they hold from the 1963 Tokyo Olympics. For people like CEO Toshiro Muto, the Olympics is more than just a sporting event, it is an event where a country can share their diverse culture to millions of people. With the increase in revenue that the event will bring from the expected 33 million foreign visitors, Japan will get the economic boost that they are expecting. But, on the other hand, many are concerned with if Japan is capable of hosting such a huge event because of their ongoing struggle with the radiation from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. With data from the research that have been done in the past two years, it is conclusive that radiation will not be a direct threat to visitors at the Olympics. Food and water are tested and are up to food safety standards. With these points put into consideration, Japan should host the Olympics because it would bring positive change to its country as a whole. 
