<!-- 796.html -->  <div id="pagebody_outline">    <div id="left_box">            <div class="both10"></div>      <div id="article">                  <div id="article_left">                                                                      </div>                <div id="article_right"><strong>significance of the Tokyo 2016 Olympic bid</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://www.yokosojapan.net/english/logo.jpg"><img alt="logo.jpg" src="https://www.yokosojapan.net/english/logo-thumb.jpg" width="200" height="163" /></a><br /><br /><br />The logo of the Tokyo 2016 Olympic bid takes the form of a traditional Japanese knot, known in Japan as "MUSUBI." It integrates the five Olympic colours into the motif of a "MIZUHIKI", colourful and decorative knotted strings which long have been utilized in Japan to signify blessings during times of celebration.<br /><br />The logo expresses the principles that underpin both the Olympic Movement and Tokyo's bid to host the Games of the XXXI Olympiad and Paralympic Games in 2016 - the creation of new values, the pioneering of a harmonious coexistence between cities and the natural global environment, and a lasting legacy for future generations.<br /><br />The MUSUBI logo represents the perfect blending of sport and culture, cities and the natural environment, the present and the future, heritage and innovation, Japan and the world.<br /><br />-------------<br /><a href="https://www.yokosojapan.net/english/090408_01_01.jpg"><img alt="090408_01_01.jpg" src="https://www.yokosojapan.net/english/090408_01_01-thumb.jpg" width="260" height="106" /></a><br /><br /><br />Tokyo, 8 April 2009 ? At an international presentation to promote Tokyo’s Bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games the city’s Governor, Shintaro Ishihara, today expressed his fears for the future of humanity if more is not done to tackle the issue of global environmental decline.<br /><br />“When we look at the world today, we see many challenges. Perhaps the greatest problem is global warming and pollution. We may even be too late to stop it, but we have to try,” he said.<br /><br />Addressing the international media at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan (FCCJ), the renowned environmental thought leader cited Tokyo’s 10-year transformation plan, ‘Tokyo’s Big Change’, as just one of the measures Japan’s pioneering capital is undertaking to tackle the problem.<br /><br />The world’s greatest ever metropolitan transformation will be completed by 2016 to ensure the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the heart of Tokyo will act as an unequalled showcase for the Olympic Movement and help every city in the world to help overcome the challenges of the 21st Century.<br /><br />Some of the innovative measures Tokyo is taking include replacing concreted, tarmaced or dirt school playgrounds with grass across the city; planting half a million more trees to bring the number up to one million; and introducing 1,000 more hectares of green space by transforming a landfill site in Tokyo Bay into a beacon of environmental innovation called ‘Sea Forest’.<br /><br />The Governor, who is also President of Tokyo 2016, also reminded the audience of the importance Tokyo and the Olympic Movement places on promoting peace, particularly at a time of incessant conflict:<br /><br />“The Olympic Games celebrates the ideals of peace and solidarity. We are in an age where conflict never seems to cease. For the last 60 years, Japan has avoided conflict, showing how much the Japanese people long for peace around the world. The Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo is the greatest event to promote this,” he said.<br /><br />With the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission arriving in Japan’s dynamic capital in a week’s time, Tokyo is completely focused on showcasing the assets that will contribute to the most compact, sustainable and eco-friendly Games ever staged.<br /><br />The IOC Evaluation Commission will be in Tokyo between 14 and 20 April 2009, and will spend four working days (16-19 April 2009) assessing the city’s ability to host the 2016 Games.<br /><br />Dr. Ichiro Kono, Chair and CEO of Tokyo 2016, said:<br /><br />“We are hard at work with final preparations for the visit of the IOC Evaluation Commission. You can feel the passion building in the heart of Tokyo and across the nation ? in taxis, hotels, shops and schools ? our people want to play their part, just as they will in 2016 if we are awarded the honour of hosting the world’s greatest sports event. Tokyo guarantees a 24/7 atmosphere that will unite the hearts of international visitors and Japanese for generations to come.”<br />(quoted from the official website for the Tokyo 2016 Olympic bid 'http://www.tokyo2016.or.jp/en/')<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tokyo2016.or.jp/en/press/">for　further　information</a><br /><br /><br /> </div>        <div class="both10"></div>      </div>          </div>  <!-- end of left_box -->  </div><!-- end of pagebody_outline -->