The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly on Friday canceled scheduled trips to Rio de Janeiro to observe the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer as their costs are likely to be much higher than expected.
The move comes days after the resignation of Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe following criticism by the public and the assembly of his misuse of political funds and overly expensive foreign business trips.
The assembly had planned the trips by 27 of its members with metropolitan officials in four groups to observe the Rio Games as Tokyo will host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
But the assembly has found the costs are expected to drastically surpass the initial estimates of around ¥62 million due partly to surging hotel fees, the members said.
"Though the visit is important, the expenses are surging and it would be difficult to gain public understanding," an assembly member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said.
A citizens' Ombudsman has submitted a request to the assembly's president to have the trips cancelled.
However, some assembly members may travel to Rio and personally cover their own expenses, citing the necessity to do so as members of an assembly of the next host city, they said.