New Japanese PM insists new government is behind Tokyo 2016 bid

121st IOC Session Summer Sports Post a comment

Posted: Wednesday 23rd September 2009 | 15:20

JAPAN'S new prime minister Yukio Hatoyama has moved to reassure the International Olympic Committee that the new-look government is fully behind the Tokyo 2016 bid.

D-DAY: There are just nine days and counting until the host city of the 2016 Olympics is decided

Hatoyama took office on September 16, replacing Taro Aso, who competed at shooting at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, when his Democratic Party defeated the Liberal Democratic Party in the August elections.

When the IOC Evaluation Commission produced its recent report, one of the key drawbacks highlighted was the lack of support from within Japan for the bid.

But Hatoyama insisted in his letter that support from the Japanese government remains as strong as ever.

"Japan has undergone a change of national government," read the letter. "However, I would like to offer you my fullest assurance that Japan's commitment to the Olympic Movement and to Tokyo's bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games remains as strong as ever.

"I strongly hope that I will have the opportunity of meeting with you at some point in the future."

Significantly, Hatoyama does not mention whether he will attend the IOC Session in Copenhagen on October 2, despite calls from Japanese organisers to do so.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Spanish King Juan Carlos have both confirmed their attendance, while President Barack Obama remains open to the possibility of making the trip.

Obama, who will be sending first lady Michelle Obama to the Danish capital, also sent a letter to the IOC, touting Chicago's virtues and left the door open with regards to travelling to Copenhagen.

"You can count on our government to support Chicago's quest to host an unforgettable event and strengthen the Olympic movement," Obama said.

"I believe we have an historic opportunity to do great things together, and I look forward to discussing that opportunity with you, if not in Copenhagen, then soon thereafter if Chicago is your choice."