Tokyo 2020 Would Host "Compact Games"

Yomiuri Shimbun reports that Tokyo's plan states that its basic approach is to concentrate 85 per cent of the competition venues within an eight-km radius from the athletes' village to be built in the Harumi waterfront district of Chuo Ward.

The plan also emphasizes Tokyo's "state-of-the-art" public transportation system which it says can "carry 25.7 million passengers a day".

Under the plan sections of the Metropolitan Expressway and other main roads totalling about 320-km would be designated as "Olympic lanes" for exclusive use by athletes and Games officials.

Also, more than 140,000 hotel rooms would be available within a 50-km radius from the athletes village.

The plan also states that the Tokyo Games will make the best possible use of eco-friendly technologies such as solar panels and low-emission vehicles.

Yomiuri Shimbun reports that Japan's Olympic Committee is finding it easier to work with newly-elected Gov. Naoki Inose than his predecessor Gov. Shintaro Ishihara. Ishihara reportedly made harsh remarks about the committee, saying, "the sports community has to work much harder".

Inose included the city's Olympic bid in his campaign pledges during the recent gubernatorial election, gaining more than four million votes.

JOC President Tsunekazu Takeda said, "we believe Tokyo's bid (as a candidate city) has won the confidence of residents".

Tokyo is competing for the 2020 Games along with Madrid and Istanbul.