Tokyo impresses IOC

 International Olympics Committee (IOC) officials said on Thursday that they were "hugely impressed" by Tokyo's bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games as well as strong government support from a country keen to show it has recovered from the devastating 2011 quake and tsunami. 

At stake are an estimated three trillion yen ($32 billion) in potential economic impact and the chance, Japanese officials say, to showcase the country's recovery from the disaster in the way the 1964 Tokyo Summer Games highlighted the nation's return after its World War II defeat.

"We have been hugely impressed by the quality of the bid presentations made by the bid committee," said Craig Reedie, vice president of the International Olympics Committee (IOC).

Reedie declined to give details, but did single out strong support both from the government and from the business community. Among those making presentations during the evaluation committee's four day visit were Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Fujio Cho, the outgoing chairman of Toyota Motor Corp.

But Japanese media noted that Tokyo had received early praise during its failed bid to host the 2016 games, which it lost to Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo governor Naoki Inose warned against any complacency.