The wrestling match between the central government and Tokyo over how to handle the cost of the new stadium for the 2020 Olympics is showing no signs of cooling.

A remark by sports minister Hakubun Shimomura about the possibility of creating a special law obliging the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to shoulder part of the cost prompted Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe to say Friday that such a move would run counter to the Constitution, because it would disregard the need for a consensus among Tokyo's residents.

Shimomura reportedly hinted Tuesday that legal tactics are underway to ensure the metropolitan government foots some of the cost of the mammoth stadium, which has been roundly criticized for its overreaching design and expanding post-bid price tag.