The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics cost at least ¥150 billion ($1.3 billion) less than expected as the Games were mostly held without spectators, helping to cut labor costs and other outlays, officials with knowledge of the matter said Friday.
Cost reductions stemming from the absence of spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic more than compensated for losses on ticket sales, estimated at around ¥90 trillion, meaning there is unlikely to be an additional burden placed on taxpayers.
The Olympics and Paralympics were held amid extraordinary restrictions last summer, and the total cost, split by the organizing committee as well as the central and the Tokyo metropolitan governments, could be lower than ¥1.5 trillion.