Culture, Exchange and Equality at the Tokyo Olympics

Editor's Note: This piece is part of a CPD project tracking recent developments in public diplomacy related to Japan.

Japan has seen the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sexism scandal within its organizing committee as opportunities to create new legacies. When faced with spectator restrictions, Japanese citizens have found creative ways to introduce their culture both to Olympic and Paralympic athletes as well as to international audiences. New host town initiatives and sports programming aim to establish traditions for Japan and the Games going forward. The Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee has been mindful of how established traditions within the Games can begin to reflect gender equality. 

Promoting Japanese Culture through the Olympics

Throughout preparations for the Olympics, Japanese citizens have played a key role in promoting Japanese culture to global audiences.

• Top 5 dishes in recipe contest to be served at Tokyo Olympic village
  The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee held a recipe contest for dishes to be served in the athletes’ village. The five winning recipes include traditional Japanese summer meals and dishes from northeastern Japan and Hokkaido.
  Kyodo News, April 19, 2021

• Tokyo 2020 unveil medal ceremony podium for Olympics and Paralympics
  The medal ceremonies will include certain aspects of Japanese culture (such as Japanese attire).
  Inside the Games, June 3, 2021

• Fukushima flower grower ready to make Tokyo Olympics bloom
  Yukari Shimizu of Namie, in Fukushima prefecture, has been growing thousands of flowers that will be included in victory bouquets during Olympic medal ceremonies.
  Kyodo, May 7, 2021

• Olympics: Tokyo launches info hub on culture, tourism ahead of games
  The Tokyo metropolitan government launched an information center to introduce culture and promote tourism to visitors.
  Kyodo, July 19, 2021

• Tokyo Games athletes’ village with anti-virus steps unveiled to media
  The athletes’ village will promote Japanese culture and values, showcasing cooking ingredients from all 47 Japanese prefectures and promoting sustainability.
  Kyodo, June 20, 2021

Host Town Initiative

The athletes’ village promoted Japanese culture and values, showcasing cooking ingredients from all 47 Japanese prefectures and promoting sustainability.

• Host Town Initiative for Tokyo 2020
  The Tokyo 2020 Host Town Initiative is the first of its kind in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
  Government of Japan, June 2021

• As Japan loses training camps, Olympics buzz fades
  While towns throughout Japan had planned on hosting Olympic athletes for training camps in the lead up to the games, many of these exchanges have been canceled.
  Reuters, June 1, 2021

• Australian softball squad 1st team to arrive in Japan for Olympics
  Some Host Town Initiatives have carried on, such as the town of Ota’s hosting of the Australian softball team, though with alterations to its cultural exchanges.
  Kyodo, June 1, 2021

• Host towns lose out by canceling of pre-Olympic training camps
  Many locales, including Nagasaki Prefecture, intend to hold remote international exchanges instead. 
  Asahi Shimbun, May 17, 2021

• FEATURE: Tokyo Olympic surf town looking to ride swell of interest
  Ichinomiya, a major surf town in Chiba Prefecture, will host surfing’s Olympic debut.
  Kyodo, July 12, 2021

Gender Equality

In the wake of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee sexism scandal, organizers have sought to make gender equality a Tokyo 2020 legacy.

• Deep Dive: The sexism scandal engulfing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
  The Japan Times podcast Deep Dive outlines the circumstances leading to former Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee President Yoshiro Mori’s resignation.
  Japan Times, February 17, 2021

• Tokyo 2020 President Hashimoto visits Pride House Tokyo amid calls for equality legislation to form Olympic legacy
  The Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee is continuing to strive for gender balance and equality as part of its Olympics legacy.
  Inside the Games, April 27, 2021

• Mixed-gender Olympic Oath takers being considered for Tokyo Games
  Rather than following the traditional approach of one athlete delivering the Olympic Oath during the opening ceremony, Olympic organizers had considered having one female and one male athlete instead.
  Kyodo, May 26, 2021

• Tokyo 2020 first ever gender-balanced Olympic games in history, record number of female competitors at Paralympic games
  On International Women’s Day, the IOC announced that Tokyo 2020 will be the first ever gender-balanced Olympic games in history.
  International Olympic Committee, March 8, 2021

• Athens 2004 chief says female leadership can carry Tokyo to success
  In an interview with Kyodo News, Former Athens Olympics chief Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki spoke of the appointment of Seiko Hashimoto as Tokyo Olympic President and its implications for gender equality both in Japan and in sports.
  Kyodo, March 17, 2021

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