SoraNews24 —Japan News—

Mitsubishi says it’s coming close to perfecting the kind of floating “hologram” images seen in sci-fi films—and it hopes to introduce the “Aerial Display” technology in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Games & Tech, Global, Japan
(holograms • Mitsubishi • sci-fi • technology • Tokyo Olympics)

9 ways Tokyo could become more foreigner-friendly in time for the 2020 Olympics

Evie Nyan
Nov 20, 2015

Despite Japan’s relative safety, abundance of delicious food, fascinating culture, and friendly people, the country still lags behind as a tourist destination for foreign travellers. So the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are the perfect opportunity for Japan to show off its famed omotenashi hospitality to the droves of foreign visitors who’ll be pouring into Tokyo to spectate.

As foreigners who’ve been living in Japan for a while, we think we might have some pretty good ideas about certain things Japan could do in order to make things a little easier on this influx of foreign guests…

Global, Japan
(2020 • culture • Olympics • Tokyo Olympics • tourism • visit Japan)

Olympic committee expands call for logo design submissions, children and office workers welcome

Preston Phro
Sep 25, 2015

As you probably know, there was a bit of a problem with the first official Tokyo Olympics logo and accusations of plagiarism, resulting in the initial design being scuttled. The committee is now on the hunt for a new, original design, and, though the final submission guidelines haven’t been settled yet, it looks like they’ll be calling on the public to submit their ideas. In fact, it seems that the committee will remove pretty much all restrictions, allowing even children to submit.

Get your pencils and markers ready, because there’s a possibility that even you might get the chance to design the Tokyo Olympics logo!

Japan
(design • Olympic logo • Olympics • Tokyo Olympics • Tokyo Olympics 2020)

Looks like it’s time to say good-bye, and maybe good riddance, to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics logo

Casey Baseel
Sep 1, 2015

There hasn’t been a lot of love for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics’ logo, which was officially unveiled by the event’s Organising Committee at the tail-end of July. Almost immediately after getting their first eyeful of it, many in Japan called it unappealing and confusing, and just a few days later some were calling it plagiarized.

In other words, not too many people were looking forward to seeing the emblem plastered all over the city during the Games, as well as the years leading up to them. The good news for the logo’s detractors is that they probably won’t have to, as the organizers of the Tokyo Olympics seem ready to officially withdraw the design for their promotion.

Japan
(2020 Olympics • design • logo • Olympics • plagiarism • scandal • Tokyo Olympics)

Is there an adorably chubby bird hiding inside the Tokyo Olympics logo?

Casey Baseel
Aug 1, 2015

It’s been a rocky debut for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics official logo. First, it elicited mixed reactions as to whether its somewhat obtuse aesthetics really conveyed the noble sentiments it was aiming for. Then came the allegations that the logo was plagiarized from the emblem of a Belgian theater.

But let’s set aside the issue of whether or not the design is a copy or not and ask another artistic question: Is the Tokyo Olympics logo actually an adorably stylized bird?

Japan
(2020 Olympics • cute • design • funny • logo • Olyumpis • Tokyo Olympics)

Could the 2020 Tokyo Olympics logo possibly be plagiarized?

Jamie Koide
Jul 30, 2015

Last Friday the logo was revealed for Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It was received with mixed reviews, with many of the opinion that the aesthetic thought that went into the logo wasn’t quite as deep as the message behind it.

As if there wasn’t already enough debate about the execution of the logo design itself, now there are rumors that the design could possibly be a plagiarization of the work of French designer Oliver Debie.

Japan
(2020 Olympics • controversy • design • logos • Tokyo Olympics)

Just what the heck is the Tokyo Olympics symbol supposed to be?

Casey Baseel
Jul 27, 2015

Back before Tokyo was selected as the host of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, the organizing committee started putting up posters around the capital touting its status as a candidate city. The logo was a circle of cherry blossoms using four of the five colors of the Olympic rings (with purple substituting for black).

You could say it was a clichéd choice, but on the other hand, it’d be hard to come up with a symbol more instantly associated with Japan than the sakura. Mt. Fuji, maybe, but it isn’t in Tokyo, and a piece of sushi would look more like a promotion for a restaurant than a sporting competition.

But perhaps because the cherry blossoms bloom in spring and Tokyo is hosting the Summer Games, the sakura ring isn’t going to be used for the actual 2020 Olympics and Paralympics themselves. Instead, Japan’s Olympic Committee recently came up with two new logos. In the eyes of some people in Japan, however, even though the designs embody a deep message, they’re lacking in aesthetic sense.

Japan
(2020 Olympics • design • Olympics • Tokyo Olympics)

Sayonara, stadium! Tokyo tosses out design for 252 billion-yen Olympic site, starts from scratch

Casey Baseel
Jul 18, 2015

I’ve got nothing but love for Tokyo, and I’ve spent a good chunk of my adult life working and playing in Japan’s city of cities. Still, I remember having mixed emotions when it was announced as the site of the 2020 Olympics.

Like everyone at RocketNews24, I truly believe Japan is an awesome place, and I’m happy whenever something happens that gets people to take a peek at what’s going on here. But I was worried that in the run-up to the 2020 Olympics, Japan would embark on a glut of overly extravagant construction projects, building needlessly expensive stadiums that would fall into disuse or disrepair soon after the Games ended, as has happened in so many other host cities.

That certainly seemed to be what was happening with Tokyo’s New National Stadium. Every few months came a new report that cost estimates had been revised up yet again, and the expected price tag recently soared to 252 billion yen (US$2.02 billion). Finally, though, the Tokyo Olympics organizers have said enough is enough, and they’ve decided to toss out the existing design completely and start over from scratch.

Japan
(architecture • Olympics • sports • Tokyo • Tokyo Olympics)

Japan Basketball Association considering prohibiting zone defense to minors

Master Blaster
Jun 5, 2015

As much as I sometimes wish I were young again, there’s no denying the fact that youth has its drawbacks. For example, just think of all the things someone under the age of 15 can’t do in Japan: they can’t enjoy a glass of elephant poop beer, vote for some naked, sword wielding guy standing in municipal elections, go to an Edo period erotic art show, or buy a carton of Marlboro and exquisite steak curry at the same place.

And if the muckety mucks in the Japan Basketball Association have their way, anyone under 15 may soon be prohibited from playing zone defense. However, the JBA would like to remind youths that it’s for their own good, and hurts the association more than it does them.

Global, Japan
(ban • basketball • FIBA • JBA • sports • Tokyo Olympics • zone defense)

Heatstroke countermeasures already being prepped for 2020 Olympics

Japan Today
Aug 9, 2014

As Japan continues to bake in soaring temperatures, Tokyo 2020 Olympic and government officials have begun discussing measures to avert heatstroke cases during the Olympics which will run for two weeks from July 25, 2020.

Japan
(heat • Japan Today • news • sport • summer • Tokyo Olympics)

New onsen facility in the heart of Tokyo’s business district to be ready for Olympics

Cara Clegg
Jul 17, 2014

When you think of an onsen, what springs to mind? Tranquil steaming pools surrounded by misty mountains and bamboo groves? This is probably the the ideal image of a hot springs getaway, but there are actually over 200 onsen facilities to be found amidst the high-rise office blocks and busy roads of central Tokyo. And there’s soon to be one more to enjoy in Otemachi, right in the heart of Tokyo’s business district.