In the early morning of September 8, Japan time, the IOC announced that Tokyo had been chosen as the host city for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In response to this news, DPJ President Banri Kaieda issued the following statement.
Today, during the International Olympic Committee Session, Tokyo was chosen
as the host city for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
I would like to express my appreciation for the efforts made by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Bid Committee. I share the delight of the Japanese people, and of all those around the world who have supported Tokyo's bid to host the Games.
We have experienced a variety of difficulties on the road to Tokyo's being selected to host the games, but thanks to the encouragement of our friends around the world we have succeeded in overcoming them. In response, as well as of course engaging in reconstruction following the Great East Japan Earthquake and in coping with the aftermath of the nuclear accident, Japan must in 2020 present to the world the image of a peaceful and rich eastern nation and its hardworking and adaptable people.
The Democratic Party of Japan has been working towards a sports renaissance, and has also been actively supporting Tokyo's bid for the Olympics and Paralympics. We would like to cooperate fully in order that the Tokyo Games can realize the Olympic and Paralympic ideals, as well as being a festival of peace and friendship providing hopes, dreams and emotions to people around the world.
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