As I watch the extreme discomfort inflicted upon the residents of Chiba by the recent typhoon, a thought occurs to me: Wouldn't the billions of dollars being lavished on the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year have been far better spent on burying electricity and other utility lines under ground, making a repeat of this tragedy less likely?

CHRISTOPHER LEWIS

MINATO WARD, TOKYO

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.