Japan: Tokyo governor hopes Olympics 2020 become a model

The Tokyo governor, Yuriko Koike, said on Wednesday that she hopes that the Tokyo 2020 games will become a model on how to hold Olympics and Paralympics.

The world's biggest sporting event was postponed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has been re-scheduled to take place next year from July 23 to August 8.

Speaking to the Associated Press Koike said three pillars were needed to hold the games.

"The first point is to secure safety and security when holding the Tokyo games. Secondly, is how to reduce the budget and cost. We must gain the understanding of the residents of Tokyo and citizens. Thirdly, we have to think about how to simplify," Koike said.

Tokyo is in discussions with organizers to scale down the Olympic and Paralympic events, but organizers have not yet elaborated on the scale of cost reductions, nor any details on what items are included as potential candidates.

Koike said that holding the games in 2021 can be realized if ways to simplify can gradually be integrated.

"We need to seriously emphasize on the future trends and movements of the world against infectious diseases," Koike said.