THE MAYOR OF SAPPORO CITY HOLDS JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH JOC

 Sapporo Mayor announces continuation of bid for Winter Olympics Joint press conference with JOC

The city of Sapporo, which aims to host the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, held a joint press conference with the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) in Tokyo on May 20 and expressed its intention to continue its bidding activities.

The questions and answers with Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto are as follows.

――What is the prospect of presenting a revised plan? Will another survey of intentions or a referendum be held?

◆The Japan Sports Agency is taking the lead in studying the management and governance of international competitions as a project team. It is said that guidelines on organizational governance will be issued. The Organizing Committee will be established if the bid for Sapporo is decided, but the management structure of the Organizing Committee will be reviewed again after receiving the guidelines. If possible, I would like to be able to put out something like that early next year.

We will continue to consider confirming the will of the people. I would like to proceed with the survey of intentions once again. In that case, the previous survey of intentions was a survey of citizens and Hokkaido residents, but I think it must be done nationwide in addition. The specific timing and method will be decided in consultation with the JOC in the future.

――Why are you considering the survey at this time?

◆ Initially, the investigation was conducted as a case at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics for bribery of a former board member. Until now, I recognize that it has not been a matter of the management structure of the organization in terms of how to proceed. As [the incident] spreads, I think we need to review the system anew.

Until now, we have been working to gain the understanding of citizens about the significance of the Olympics and Paralympics and the "why" of why the Olympics and Paralympics are being held now, and have proposed amendments to the plan. After that, we had to reconsider the organizational structure. Unless we present revisions and improvement proposals that include these proposals, we will not be able to gain the understanding of the public. Review and focus on consideration. I recognize that the situation has changed significantly, including the issue of how to proceed. We came to the conclusion that it was necessary to confirm the will of the people once again.

――In terms of confirming the will of the people, will the bid be canceled if opposition outweighs support?

◆The timing and method of confirming the will of the public will be discussed with the JOC from now on. First of all, we will consider various aspects of the current system. What can we do to ensure that what happened at the Tokyo Games is never repeated? Based on the discussions of the national project team, we will also discuss the ideal form of the organization. I believe that we will be able to present a final reform plan over the course of the fiscal year. Rather than presenting this before the Sapporo mayoral election (in April next year), we assume that the results of the national project will be around February in the sense that it is in the middle of the project. I think the final improvement plan will take more time.

――Is there a possibility that opposition will outweigh it?

◆It means respecting the will of the people.

――What is the suspension of active momentum-building activities?

◆We will consider various things. That's what we're going to focus on. Events to build momentum that have been held so far will be suspended for the time being. For example, I would like to continue to explain the significance of holding the Olympics and Paralympics and when citizens ask me to explain them at visiting lectures.

It is necessary to tell you about the significance of the event. In addition to this, we must dispel anxiety about the various incidents at the Tokyo Games.

――What do you think about the meaning of the intention survey? Is it intended to explore issues for building momentum? Is it possible to withdraw?

◆We must proceed based on the support of the people and the support of the residents. It is necessary to continue to convey the significance of the Olympics and Paralympics. In addition, it may be difficult to spread understanding unless we dispel anxiety about what happened at the Tokyo Games. How can we convey that the tournament will proceed in a different way than before? On top of that, I think it is meaningful to confirm what the public and residents think about the bid to host the Olympics and Paralympics. I think it is necessary to make a judgment on the outcome based on the will of the people.

THE MAYOR OF SAPPORO CITY HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE WITH JOC TO ANNOUNCE CONTINUATION OF BID ACTIVITIES FOR WINTER OLYMPICS 2030

Hokkaido Governor Holds Sapporo City-JOC Joint Press Conference: "It Was Necessary" - Winter Olympics Bid

Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki told reporters in Tokyo, "[The joint press conference] was a necessary response, and I would like to see the concrete way forward indicated as soon as possible." Regarding the suspension of active momentum-building activities, he said, "We would like to respond after quickly deciding what the scope of the suspension refers to."

Sapporo Mayor: "If there is a lot of opposition, it will be difficult to continue" - Survey on intentions for bidding for the Olympics

Regarding Sapporo's goal of bidding for the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto expressed his recognition on the 29th that "if there is a lot of opposition, it will be difficult to continue (the bidding activities)" regarding the intention survey asking about the pros and cons of the bid. He said at a press conference announcing his candidacy for next spring's mayoral election.

According to a mail-in survey of citizens conducted by the city in March this year, 52.2% of respondents answered "yes" or "somewhat agree" to the bid. Akimoto and the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) announced on May 20 their intention to expand the survey nationwide and conduct it again.

Sapporo mayoral election Incumbent Katsuhiro Akimoto announces candidacy for three elections, Olympics bid becomes a point of contention

Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto, 66, announced at a press conference on April 22 that he would run as an independent candidate for three elections in the mayoral election (April 9, 2023) due to the expiration of his term. As in the previous election, the Liberal Democratic Party, Constitutional Democratic Party, and New Komeito Party will provide joint support. Kaoru Takano, 63, a former city bureau chief who opposes the city's bid to bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, has also announced his candidacy, and the bid for the Olympics is expected to be a point of contention.