Sapporo residents express mixed opinions about city's 2030 Winter Olympics bid November 17, 2022 (Mainichi Japan) Japanese version The 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics cauldron is seen in front of the Sapporo Municipal Government office in the city's Chuo Ward on Nov. 29
ブランド時計コピー 2021. (Mainichi) SAPPORO -- Residents in this northern Japan city have expressed mixed opinions to the Mainichi Shimbun about the city's 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics bid after a sharp increase in the cost to host the Games was revealed. The Sapporo Municipal Government said on Nov. 8 that the cost of hosting the Games is expected to increase by some 17 billion yen (about $122 million) to roughly 300 billion yen (approx. $2.15 billion). The Mainichi Shimbun asked people in central Sapporo on Nov. 11 and 12 if they are for or against the bid. A 40-year-old homemaker in Sapporo's Chuo Ward said, "There's a sense of stagnation in society. I'm for the bid because I want excitement." People who support the move spoke of their wish to escape from worries such as the coronavirus pandemic, the weak Japanese yen and rising prices, in the apparent hope the event could lift the downbeat mood in the city. Some people voiced support for infrastructure improvement, which the city considers a merit of hosting the Games. A 38-year-old corporate employee in Chuo Ward said, "Redevelopment of the city center will begin, and the shinkansen bullet train line will be extended to Sapporo." With construction of venues that will continue to be used after the Games in mind
コピーブランド服 he added, "It'll be more meaningful if tax money is used to renovate facilities that need it even without the Games." Many people are attracted by the "sporting celebration." An 87-year-old resident of Higashi Ward, who apparently worked in operations for the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics' opening ceremony, said, "The Olympics are a dream. I have some good memories of being able to interact with people from around the world." Meanwhile, some people sounded a more cautious note. A 52-year-old office worker in Kita Ward said, "It's good that aging public facilities will become barrier-free (for the Games)." But she added, "I hate incidents like corruption (over the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics). It's necessary to squarely look at real problems like costs." There was also deep-rooted opposition
時計スーパーコピー primarily among women raising children. A 34-year-old medical clerk in Chuo Ward who has three young children said, "I want to go see (the Games) to be honest, but I can't casually agree with them at the same time as child care expenses are squeezing livelihoods and we see Olympic corruption scandals." She added, "I want as much tax money as possible to be spent on children." There are also many people who question the cost of hosting the Games. A 70-year-old resident of Chuo Ward commented
ブランドコピー最高N級 "The Sapporo city government announced the budget increase. Expenses drastically increased for the Tokyo Games, too. Once it is decided to host the event, there is no way for residents to stop it. I want them to actually face reality." Regardless of the pros and cons, there appears to be deep-rooted concern about the cost as well as distrust rooted in the corruption surrounding the 2020 Tokyo Games. In an opinion survey conducted in March 2022 by the municipal government, 52.2% of respondents were either "in favor" or "somewhat in favor" of the Olympic bid. Conditions in society have changed drastically since, but the city is reluctant to conduct a referendum. Local residents' support is said to be one of factors to decide a host city. Where Sapporo residents' consensus will go remains to be seen. (Japanese original by Takumi Taniguchi and Yutaka Yamada
コピーブランド靴 Hokkaido News Department) Font Size SML Print Go to The Mainichi Home Page Related Articles Small protests in Tokyo and Sapporo against Olympic bid Sapporo rejects holding referendum over bidding for Olympics Sapporo shows strong support for 2030 Winter Olympics
