Japan approves new $1.5b for Tokyo stadium
AFP, Tokyo :
The Japanese government on Friday approved plans for the building of the main stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at a cost of almost $1.5 billion.
Construction of Tokyo’s new national stadium is scheduled to begin in December, more than a year after the original blueprints were torn up on the orders of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe amid public anger over skyrocketing costs, according to officials.
The showcase Olympic stadium is set to be completed by the end of November 2019, said the Japan Sport Council-five months behind schedule, the delays already having forced the 2019 Rugby World Cup to switch venues for the final match.
The $1.47 billion price tag for architect Kengo Kuma’s design comes in just under the $1.55 cap for the contractors, led by construction giant Taisei Corp.
New Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike, who has been eager to further slash costs for Tokyo’s second Olympics, promised to keep a close eye on progress with the city’s preparations already dogged by controversy.
“Given we are sharing the (financial) burden, I will raise my voice when necessary to ensure the stadium is utilised by the citizens of Tokyo,” she told reporters after a meeting at the prime minister’s office.
The Japanese government on Friday approved plans for the building of the main stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at a cost of almost $1.5 billion.
Construction of Tokyo’s new national stadium is scheduled to begin in December, more than a year after the original blueprints were torn up on the orders of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe amid public anger over skyrocketing costs, according to officials.
The showcase Olympic stadium is set to be completed by the end of November 2019, said the Japan Sport Council-five months behind schedule, the delays already having forced the 2019 Rugby World Cup to switch venues for the final match.
The $1.47 billion price tag for architect Kengo Kuma’s design comes in just under the $1.55 cap for the contractors, led by construction giant Taisei Corp.
New Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike, who has been eager to further slash costs for Tokyo’s second Olympics, promised to keep a close eye on progress with the city’s preparations already dogged by controversy.
“Given we are sharing the (financial) burden, I will raise my voice when necessary to ensure the stadium is utilised by the citizens of Tokyo,” she told reporters after a meeting at the prime minister’s office.
