Prime Minister Taro Aso addressed the International Olympic Committee evaluation team Thursday at a welcome ceremony, as a four-day inspection got under way for Tokyo's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Aso delivered his speech at Hotel Okura as the 13-member evaluation team prepared to inspect proposed venues and infrastructure, as well as hotels and the transportation network.
"It is my earnest desire to invite young Olympians from around the world to Tokyo to experience what I felt and learned as a young athlete," said Aso, referring to his experience as a former clay shooting Olympian at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
"Tokyo has an excellent urban infrastructure with the world's best transportation networks and accommodations, and it is one of the world's most advanced cities in terms of sports, environment and public safety," he said, adding the government is firmly committed to the process.
"Whatever needs to be done, will be done. Whatever needs to be built, will be built. Whatever needs to be financed, will be financed."
The evaluation team's report will play a crucial role in determining which of the four cities competing for the games will be selected in the final analysis when the IOC votes in Copenhagen on Oct. 2. Tokyo is running against Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro.
On the first official day of business, Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara explained the vision and concept behind the capital's bid to evaluation commission chairwoman Nawal El Moutawakel and other members of the team.