With Tokyo winning the right to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, expectations are running high for its impact on Tokyo and the Japanese economy as a whole. With public support for hosting the Games reportedly as high as 92%, hopes are high also among investors and government officials that the Olympics will provide a further boost to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic revitalization plan, with the Games are even being referred to by some as the “fourth arrow” of Abenomics.

This month’s International Policy Forum was with Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member and long-time campaigner to bring the Olympics to Tokyo, Yoshihiro Hayasaka. He provided us with insight into the future plans of the Tokyo Olympic Organization Committee as well as discussions about potential business opportunities leading up to the Olympics. Mr. Hayasaka was first elected to the Assembly in 2005 and is currently serving his third term.  Known as "Mr. Bosai", he is also a leading authority on disaster prevention, and, rather appropriately for a politician, is chair of the All-Japan Tug-of-War Association.