Tokyoesque Insights

Tokyo 2020 Analysis: What Were the Benefits and Drawbacks for Japan?

By Melissa Francis

Let’s face it. Despite gearing up to be a high-tech display of Japanese culture and values, the Tokyo 2020 Games had plenty of obstacles standing in the way of greater success. Before it had even begun, the event was more of a political debate than sporting spectacle. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic played a huge part in that. It’s fair to say that no-one could have predicted that chaos.

But even before the pandemic hit, there was significant resistance from the Japanese public around holding these Games (as of June 2020, 80% of Japanese wanted it cancelled). In addition to concerns about COVID-19, many felt the increasing cost would outweigh the economic benefit. 

Here, we analyse various aspects of how the Games played out, and what this means for Japan’s future.