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　The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG), along with related organisations, had been working on preparations in anticipation of holding the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 this summer. However, the Games have been postponed to next year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. In order to hold the Games, we will first make every effort to overcome the invisible enemy that is the novel coronavirus. We believe the Tokyo 2020 Games can become a symbol of how the world has united to overcome hardship, and how humanity has strengthened its bonds with one another. In order to realise a Games that is full of hope, and to make sure the Games will leave a great legacy for all of us, we will continue to do our best to fight against this infectious disease.

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　Measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus are of the utmost importance to ensure a safe and secure Games for all, including athletes, Games officials, and spectators. At the last IOC Session, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee reported that the national government will take the initiative to hold a meeting on comprehensive measures to be taken against the novel coronavirus from this autumn. The meeting is set to include the national government, the Organising Committee, and TMG. Together with related organisations such as the IOC, IPC, Organising Committee, national government, and WHO, we will continue to work on considering a wide range of measures such as border controls, testing systems, and infection prevention measures, in preparation for next year's Games.

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　In order to maintain the understanding and support of the people of Tokyo and Japan with regard to hosting the Games, cost reductions will be necessary. Accordingly, we will consider measures to optimise and rationalise service levels, together with the IOC, national government, and Organising Committee. In terms of the simplification of the Games, at the IOC Session, there was discussion regarding simplifying the Games and not making it extravagant, so that a report on results could be given in September. It was also reported to that there would be work to present additional costs due to postponement in this fall based on the reviews of service levels and the others. Based on this course of action, we will continue to discuss and prepare for the Olympics continuously with the IOC, the national government, the Organising Committee, and other related organisations.

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　It is necessary to have the understanding and support of the people of Tokyo and of Japan, and to show consideration regarding safety and security in order to build up momentum for the Games. For that reason, we did not hold the events like those held previously, to which spectators were invited, but instead we have released a message video to mark exactly a year before the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Games. The video contains messages to cheer on and support athletes preparing for the Games next year as well as expressions of our gratitude and respect for medical service workers fighting against infectious diseases, and essential workers who support social infrastructure. The Tokyo 2020 Games provide enormous hope for athletes training hard for next summer and for children who hold the future in their hands. Local governments and communities are also engaging in preparations for the Games. Together with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and related organisations, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will continue to build momentum and excitement regarding the Tokyo 2020 Games with the understanding and support of the people of Tokyo and Japan.

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　Along with countermeasures against the novel coronavirus, we believe it is extremely important to protect the health and safety of Tokyo residents, spectators, and others from the severe summer heat in Tokyo. Based on the results of trials we have conducted so far, we will arrange multiple countermeasures that combine in tangible and intangible ways, such as ensuring there is shade that is effective in reducing heat and providing neck coolers and cold beverages. So that effective heat countermeasures can be taken while taking into account the “new normal” that has been adopted due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, we will continue to coordinate with the Organising Committee and the relevant organisations to make every effort to provide heat countermeasures.

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　The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee is considering an altered schedule and format for the Olympic and Paralympic torch relays. So that the Olympic and Paralympic flame can become a flame of hope, the TMG will make every effort to combat the novel coronavirus and proceed with preparations to hold the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year.

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　Along with the athletes, volunteers are the most important figures in the Games. The City Cast (City Volunteers) are immensely important as they are the face of the host city. We would like to have those who attended training or interviews to welcome the many athletes and spectators who will come to Tokyo as members of the City Cast next year. The TMG will make every effort to ensure the City Cast and everyone else can enjoy the Games in safety and with peace of mind. We certainly hope that they will be able to participate in the Games next year.

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　As the Games venues and the event schedule have been decided for next year, the Organising Committee have indicated that they are considering having tickets continue to be valid as a general principle. It has been reported that there are plans to return fees to ticket holders who will have difficulty attending events and would like a refund.

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　With the completion of the construction of the Tokyo Aquatics Centre this February, all the new permanent venues built by the TMG for the Games are now ready. As the Games have now been postponed, it is being considered for Tokyo residents to be allowed access to the venues until the Games begin, so that the venues can also be enjoyed by Tokyo residents to the greatest extent possible. In addition to making new locations for sport, the TMG intends to partner with nearby facilities to make the surrounding areas more appealing and popular. The TMG will continue to put great consideration into promoting effective uses for venues after the Games, so that they will be cherished by Tokyo residents as part of the Games' legacy.

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　It is important that the venues prepared for the Games continue to be used by many of Tokyo’s residents even after the Games. At the same time, it is a priority to maximise revenues from each venue and reduce the burden borne by facility operators as much as possible. Starting with the Ariake Arena, we have selected the post-Games concessionaires that will operate the facility at an early stage before the Games, in order to smoothly transition to the new facility management arrangements after the Games. The TMG aims for the Games to leave a sustainable legacy, with venues enjoyed by many of Tokyo’s residents even after the Games. This is being achieved through efforts to promote sports among residents and people with impairments, and ensuring the venues prepared for the Games are available to the public.

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　With regard to transportation during the Games, it is important to aim to meet the dual objectives of ensuring the Games run smoothly and maintaining economic activity. In order to alleviate traffic congestion and crowding during the Games period, a number of initiatives have been undertaken under the banner of “Smooth Biz”, including teleworking, Jisa Biz (staggered commuting), and Traffic Demand Management. Furthermore, to further popularise teleworking as a countermeasure to the novel coronavirus, we have conducted subsidy projects to support companies in introducing teleworking. These initiatives present not just a way to alleviate congestion during the Games, but also a new way of working that will take root as a legacy of the Games.

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　Tokyo will be the first city in history to host the Paralympic Summer Games for a second time, and we believe the success of the Paralympics will be central to the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. Following the postponement of the Games, many Para athletes, Para-sports federations, those who had supported athletes, and a great number of officials and others associated with the Games felt worried. Para athletes were looking forward to showing the world the results of their hard work that they have built up over many years, while people from all over the world were eagerly anticipating watching the Paralympic Games. In order to successfully hold the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, we will first make every effort to overcome the invisible enemy called the novel coronavirus.

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　The TMG is using the Games as an opportunity to realise a Tokyo that everybody can live in comfortably, and is making every effort to make the city more accessible. In addition to taking accessibility into account while constructing and preparing venues, other measures have been taken in the run up to the Games, including step elimination and constructing elevators and platform doors at train stations. Furthermore, for the first time in Japan, the TMG has amended regulations to require businesses to remove steps, etc. in regular guest rooms in accommodation facilities. We also have expanded subsidy projects to support hotel accommodation businesses and try to introduce the useful information regarding accessibility in facilities. In addition, measures have been taken to encourage people to reach out to help others who need special assistance. Along with ensuring accessibility, both in terms of physical infrastructure and a considerate society, so that the Paralympic Games can be a success, efforts are being made to develop a society where “diversity” has been soundly realised, and people both with and without impairments can live together while supporting and respecting one another.

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　The idea of the “Recovery and Reconstruction Games” is the origin of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. The Tokyo 2020 Games will not be a success without the reconstruction of disaster areas. In addition to letting the world know of the enthusiasm for the Games, the TMG wishes to use the Games as an opportunity to share the stories of the regions affected by the disasters as they resolutely march towards recovery, and to thank all the people who have supported them. The first events of the Games, as originally planned, will be softball at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium and football at Miyagi Stadium. Furthermore, initiatives are in progress to build a Tokyo 2020 Reconstruction Monument and create new footage of disaster reconstruction support, and initiatives such as planting trees from disaster-affected regions at the Ariake Arena as a symbol of reconstruction are under consideration. The TMG is making every effort to ensure the Tokyo 2020 Games are truly fruitful for disaster-affected regions by continuing to work together with the national government, the Organising Committee, and above all, people from the affected prefectures.

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　So that international visitors who have come to Tokyo for the Games can have a more pleasant stay in the city and watch the Games with peace of mind, including measures against the novel coronavirus, it is important to further initiatives to promote information-communication technology and multilingual support, such as apps and devices that can translate foreign languages. Announcements and signage at food and drink vendors at the venues will be available in a number of languages, and initiatives will be taken to ensure that the Games can be enjoyed easily by people from Japan and abroad alike, leaving a legacy of an inclusive society where people can coexist.