COPENHAGEN (Kyodo) Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama threw his weight behind Tokyo's final push to host the 2016 Olympics on Friday, urging the International Olympic Committee to choose the city during its presentation in Copenhagen.
"I have made it my mission to come to Copenhagen to express my strong support for Tokyo as the host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Hatoyama in English.
"I am here with my wife, Miyuki, to convey to you in person the heartfelt wish of the people of Japan to host the Olympic Games in Tokyo."
Tokyo is hoping its emphasis on a green, compact Olympics Games will help bring sport's showcase event to Japan for the first time in 52 years.
It plans to use several renovated venues from the 1964 Games, while its Olympic Stadium would be the first in the world powered by solar energy.
"The IOC has played an important role in the development of the sport, culture and environment agenda as the essential missions of the Olympic movement. I wholeheartedly support this vision," said Hatoyama, who took office Sept. 16.
"Tokyo is well positioned to serve as a future model of public safety and environmental stability. . . . In hosting the 2016 Games, Tokyo will show the world how a major metropolis can flourish without detriment to the environment," he said.
The other cities vying for the games are Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid.
Tokyo's presentation followed Chicago's, in which U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michele, both made impassioned speeches.
The President said: "I urge you to choose Chicago. And if you do, if we walk this path together, then I promise you this: the city of Chicago and the United States of America will make the world proud."
The winning bid will be announced around 7 p.m. local time.