NEWSWORTHY
Retirement was once an option for Ryosuke Irie. Now he's happy that he stayed in the pool, training in a completely new environment. Irie joined top professional swimming training group Team Elite in San Diego in the United States after the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, ...
Tokyo works to boost Paralympic profile before 2020 Games
Nearly half of Tokyo's residents can't name a single Paralympian, and international sporting officials are worried about the capital's readiness to accommodate athletes. As the 2020 Games approaches, Tokyo has work to do. "If the Paralympics are not a success, the Tokyo Games are not ...
Reigning 66-kg world champion Hifumi Abe has agreed to a management contract under a new company established by three-time Olympic judo champion Tadahiro Nomura, the company announced Thursday. Although it is unusual for Japanese judoka to be managed while still attending college, the 20-year-old Abe ...
2020 Olympic torch relay focused on highlighting Japan's recovery from disaster
The torch relay for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will showcase Japan's recovery from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, local organizers said Tuesday. Upon its arrival in Japan, the Olympic flame will be put on display at various locations in Tohoku to help ...
Japan's ¥1,000 departure tax: Diet approves law on use of revenue from levy set to start in 2019
The government aims to use the funds to boost tourism infrastructure and promote travel destinations in rural Japan.
Rikako Ikee leading Japan's swimming charge toward 2020 Tokyo Olympics
With the Summer Olympics coming to Japan in two years' time, some athletes are close to being ready for it and some still need a little more time to get into top shape. The Japan Swimming Championships, which wrapped up on Sunday, identified some of ...
Preparations for 2020 Tokyo Olympics said to be back on track after rocky start
On a nondescript patch of land east of Tokyo, cranes are whirring frantically against a city skyscraper backdrop as 200 workers toil on the 2020 Olympics canoe venue. With the Pyeongchang Winter Games in South Korea over, Tokyo is stepping up preparations for the next ...
Olympic execs claim they have a games changer for cutting host-city costs
Radical reforms to staging the Olympic Games that were passed by the International Olympic Committee in February could have a significant impact in Japan for many years to come. With Tokyo two years away from hosting the Summer Olympics and Sapporo expected to bid for ...
Japan's hotel industry expanding fast as newcomers enter the fray to tap tourism boom
Fears of a shortage of accommodations ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games are quickly becoming a thing of the past as companies ranging from apparel brands to wedding service providers jump into the hotel business. Coupled with expected expansion of the minpaku ...
Hong Kong a valuable test market for Japan's campaign to attract foreign tourists
With trips to Japan being so popular among people from Hong Kong, Tokyo sees the territory as a testing ground for trying out various initiatives and analyzing behavioral patterns as it seeks to attract more foreign tourists. A record 2.2 million Hong Kong residents visited ...
In talks, Kim tells IOC head North Korea is committed to Tokyo, Beijing Olympics
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach met with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Friday and said the North Korean leader is committed to having his country participate in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics and the Beijing Winter Games in 2022. Bach told an AP ...
Goal to achieve full barrier-free access at major transport terminals by 2020 Olympics adopted
The government on Friday set a target of achieving full barrier-free access for the disabled at major train stations, bus terminals and airports ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics The step-free access rate at such facilities with more than 3,000 daily users on ...
