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Protesters march against Tokyo Olympic stadium

25 Comments
By JIM ARMSTRONG

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Proof again that ordinary Japanese citizens DO protest against issues of concern, contrary to the negative stereotypes of them as sheeple too scared to speak out and stand out against the public grain.

And, of course, there will be the naysayers mocking that 'only' 500 people showed up.

7 ( +14 / -7 )

A bit late now don't you think? If they don't start to build it, what will the IOC do to Tokyo for balking on their proposal? These protests should have been LOUD AND CLEAR at the stadium final selection process. That's when they should have put the 'ALL STOP' pressure on. Now it's like saying "start again" after the race has already started. They are just going to waste a huge amount of time and still the date will get closer and closer and then you'll see MASSIVE budget over runs to finish in time. Does anyone every learn from these exact same past scenarios? This is not the first time something like this has happened. Tokyo or Japan or for an Olympic construction project elsewhere.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Japan deserves a 21st century stadium for the Olympics. I don't want to see the old one go, but the new one will be more fitting for a forward looking Japan. What an amazing nation.

-8 ( +7 / -15 )

There is urban planning in Tokyo? That IS news.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Tokyo was never planned...just let the hen sit on the city, it's OK!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Proof again that ordinary Japanese citizens DO protest against issues of concern, contrary to the negative stereotypes of them as sheeple too scared to speak out and stand out against the public grain.

500 people? That would be the exception that proves the rule.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Rule 7768 For any idea, there will always be 2 people who will actively try to ruin it.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Listen, it's one thing to be attached to existing infrastructures. But this protest against the New Olympic Stadium is taking things a little too far for the sake of an obsolete structure. We have to look around the world to see how all great cities have those giant multipurpose stadiums. Unlike the Bird's Nest in Beijing, there are plenty of events that can see this new stadium useful: the Blue Samurai using it as their main home stadium (like England's Wembley or France's Stade de France), mega-concerts, the annual high school football tournament final, and many more. It's not difficult to find some use to a big stadium when you have a good negotiation team to lure huge events of all kinds.

Of course, costs and construction design are a concern, BUT those are thihgs that CAN be worked out. Adopting an extreme position by just saying "no" is not going to help anything either.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

For a country that is still in debt, with people still waiting to be compensated/relocated in Tohoku, that seems like an awful lot of spending for something the PEOPLE didn't ask for and don't want even though Abe says "everything is under control..." (does that include "spending so much money" ?)

5 ( +7 / -2 )

I completely agree to these protesters. The bridge style structure is unnecessary, and waste of money and space. Build more simple and normal design stadium.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

It's ridiculous that Tokyo would be spending billions on the Olympics when people are still living in temporary housing in Tohoku. It shows a serious lack of priority by the Japanese government.

Rule 7768 For any idea, there will always be 2 people who will actively try to ruin it.

Three if it's on the internet.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I`m generally on side with the protestors. The last time Japan held a major international sporting event of this magnitutude (2002 World Cup) it built a ton of massive stadiums that now sit massively underutilized and a drain on public resources. Pretty much the only countries that did well with their stadiums after hosting that event were the US, Germany and France, which made the smart choice of upgrading existing facilities already in use rather than building giant eyesores. In other words, the model being supported by the protestors is the one that has the best track record in terms of post-event use (which is the main concern).

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/were-the-billions-brazil-spent-on-world-cup-stadiums-worth-it/

3 ( +7 / -4 )

SenseNotSoCommonJul. 06, 2014 - 09:36AM JST Now, my question, why $1.7 Billion when the London stadium cost around $900 million? Have building costs skyrocketed that much in the last 3 years? Hardly an apples-to-apples comparison, is it?

No, I am asking because London is actually ranked higher than Japan in property costs. But, to satisfy your apples-to-apples objection let's compare some building costs here in Tokyo.

Skytree cost around $800 million dollars.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Build the new stadium.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Thanks, JoeBigs,

Yes, London has higher property costs than Tokyo, artificially inflated by capital flight, and the fact that properties tend to appreciate, not depreciate, in value.

Google "construction costs tokyo vs london" for Turner and Townsend's industry analysis. Many costs (labour, for example) are lower in Japan, but margins, and the sq. metre cost of constructing hotels, etc. are considerably higher.

If London's stadium cost $900m, don't be surprised that Tokyo's (by the time all the middle men get their cut) is double or more.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Ahem, they are quite right in protesting this. I'd suggest you consider how much it is currently costing to maintain the significantly under-utilised soccer stadiums that were built for the world cup. Stadiums that are paid for by the wards in which they are located at cost to spending for more pressing needs. Its all well and good blowing all that money on a once off stadium but it will have to be maintained and paid for beyond the life of the olympic games - it will have to earn its "keep" to pay for itself by way of patronage, use etc.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

What a bunch of Debbie Downers. This is why we can't ever have anything nice

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Regardless of the utility and the haggling over what "fits" in such a diverse and interesting city as Tokyo, one thing is for sure:

The original stadium designs didn't just LOOK like a bicycle helmet, it WAS. Redesign that ugly monstrosity to something worthwhile of an Alpha+ world city!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Most people never get to go to a live Olympic event and if they enjoy them at all, they do so vicariously from their couch. So with our present 24/7 global media coverage, is there really any need for one nation to hold the games? Why not spread them around to existing quality venues around the world (so there would be no need to displace people and burden taxpayers with debt) and just coordinate the broadcasting times. If done right, there could be events taking place somewhere round the clock. Yawn.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

oldman: Why do you even need to bring up this, "See! Japanese people do stand up!" if you really don't need to prove it?

"And, of course, there will be the naysayers mocking that 'only' 500 people showed up."

Not only that it was only 500 people in a nation of 125 million or more, but more importantly pointing out the fact that this protest means absolutely nothing and will accomplish even less. Which is to say, the government is not listening and does not care. Someone could set his/herself on fire in protest and it wouldn't see the headlines or make the government blink.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Just say no to expensive stadium boondoggles. Los Angeles is still using the Coliseum that they used in their Olympic Games. Their first, in 1932.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Even if the new design is excellent or not. IOC committee hasn't approved the change.

IOC Chairman Coates added that any venue changes cannot be made unilaterally by games organizers but must also be approved by the bodies which run the individual sports.

"There will be no changes unless there is full sign-off from the international federations," Coates said.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

IMHO, a newer stadium is needed, but one that isn't be so gaudy or cost the tax payers so much. But, the IOC love to spend tax payers money and nations always give in.

The winning design looks like a wingless manta or a crazy spaceship and really doesn't fit in with the rest of the area.

SenseNotSoCommonJul. 06, 2014 - 01:30PM JST If London's stadium cost $900m, don't be surprised that Tokyo's (by the time all the middle men get their cut) is double or more.

Thanks for the link helps to get a better idea as to the costs here.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It is not cost or design of studium. IOC does not want the change, More spending before Olympic, less and less IOC income. Huge Japan Inc, commercial displays on studium will have to absorb new stadium cpst.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Countries should not have to pony up for these ridiculously expensive games. The IOC sits on billions and should finance the games directly. Then, and only then, will you see rational spending. When it's their money they would be more frugal. As it stands now, they really couldn't care less about the price to a country

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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