Getting the Inside Scoop on Tokyo's New Governor and Olympic Plans
I recently had the opportunity to attend a press conference with Tokyo’s then-new governor, Yoichi Masuzoe, and came away genuinely impressed. Given that he was going to be in charge of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic preparations, I thought you might be interested in my take on his performance and initial plans.
Masuzoe, a sharp and fit-looking man who holds a Judo black belt, was a refreshing change from the typical Japanese public servant. He delivered a portion of his speech and then fielded questions from both the Japanese and foreign pressin good English, a skill that puts him in a very small category of elected officials here. His delivery was direct and enthusiastic, a welcome contrast to the often stuffy and robotic style many are accustomed to.
Economic Visions: From Liberalization to Drug Development
The core of his speech centered on his plan to optimize Tokyo as a special economic area. It was clear that he is not a proponent of rapid, sweeping liberalization, a stance strongly backed by the trade union Rengo.
For example, he spoke out against introducing foreign nannies to Japan, arguing that Southeast Asians would undercut local prices. Instead, his vision included redeveloping the areas of Toranomon and Hibiya into a Tokyo-style "Champs Elysees" and establishing Tokyo as a center for drug development and ageing technologies. To be frank, this didn't strike me as particularly radical or even very interesting, unless you happen to be in the real estate or pharmaceutical industries. The "Champs Elysees" idea also seemed a little strange, as that name is already often associated with Omotesando.
The Controversial New National Stadium
For most attendees, the most immediate and fascinating aspect of his talk was his brief mention of the controversial National Stadium—the structure set to replace the one built for the 1964 Olympics.
The stadium's bike-helmet shape and the fact that its British architect reportedly hadn't visited Japan before submitting the proposal have led to significant skepticism among journalists and prominent Japanese architects alike.
I myself was initially alarmed, as I used to live close to the Meiji Shrine and feared that its magnificent park would be concretized. However, after examining maps, I’m happy to report that my fears were largely put to rest.
Clearing Up Misconceptions About the Location
It is important to understand that the awesome and beautiful area around the actual Meiji Shrine will remain entirely untouched. The new stadium is located in the area known as Meiji Jingu Gaien, which is about 2 km away from the shrine itself.
Meiji Jingu Gaien is already a sports hub, comprising two baseball stadia, the existing National Stadium (currently used for football), and a rugby stadium. These are all clustered around a green oval, which features the Meiji Picture Gallery and is a popular running and cycling track on the weekends.
The new 80,000-person venue will indeed be massive—about 1.6 times the size of the old structure—and will be plonked right over the existing stadium's footprint. It’s an architectural marvel in that it will achieve six times the floor space on a site less than twice as large, though this will involve it being a great deal taller, at 70 metres high. One can only hope it won't blot the sky too badly.
The expanded floor space will house many extra facilities, including a library, restaurants, and shops. The planned extension area is well away from the main green oval, incorporating the mid-sized Meiji Park and the old Seinenkan hotel, both of which are slated for demolition. Having lived in the area, I can assure you that the spot referred to as "Meiji Park" is more like a disused parking space, and the huge, red-brick Seinenkan is no architectural gem. My relief in learning the facts shows how easily we can be misled by the most powerful narratives—it seems not everything the Japanese government touches turns to ashes.
