TOKYO 2016 has welcomed the announcement that Tokyo is one of the world’s best cities for quality of life, according to top international lifestyle magazine, Monocle. The ranking adds further weight to the Tokyo’s Bid to host a unique Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016 at the very heart of city life.
Monocle recognised Japan’s vibrant capital as a “dynamic city” where “transport runs with digital precision, people are mindful of others, and the crime rate is low”. Tokyo placed third in the world following only picturesque Copenhagen (Denmark), who will host the 2009 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session and 2016 Host City vote, and culturally-rich Munich (Germany).
The report comes just months after Tokyo was identified as the world’s must-visit destination for food-lovers with the internationally renowned Michelin Guide awarding 191 stars to 150 restaurants; the most of any city across the globe
The ranking also fits with the findings of the IOC, whose 2016 Applicant City report ranked TOKYO 2016 highest in six categories, including ‘General Infrastructure’ and ‘Accommodation’. Tokyo’s Bid was praised by the IOC for its plans to rapidly transform the city into a model of urban and sustainable development for the 21st Century. TOKYO 2016’s plan will renew the legacy of the 1964 Olympic Games by refreshing existing facilities and developing new iconic venues.
Dr Ichiro Kono, Chairman and CEO of TOKYO 2016, said:
“We are proud that Tokyo has been recognised as one of the world’s best cities for quality of life by an international thought leader. We are bidding to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games at the very heart of city life, so this news reinforces our decision to offer the Olympic Movement a dynamic and compact Games at the centre of the greatest urban and environmental transformation in history. Our efficient and sustainable transport system, iconic venue locations and first-rate facilities, including hotels and restaurants, are attuned to the needs of the Olympic Family. Now we are working hard to develop our Candidature File to demonstrate this and much more to try to secure the world’s greatest event and create an incredible legacy for the Olympic Movement and future generations.”
The ‘Musubi Promise’, which is the cornerstone of TOKYO 2016’s Olympic concept, symbolises the Bid’s commitment to deliver an environmentally-friendly Games that will reunite youth with sport, old and new Japan, heritage and innovation, the Games with city life and create a greener city in 2016 for the benefit of Japan and the whole Olympic Movement.
Monocle’s city rankings can be found in the latest edition of the magazine, and the Quality of Life Index is available at: http://www.monoclemagazine.com/webprogrammes/Quality-of-Life-Index/.
For further information, please contact:
Tetsuo Nakayama (Mr), Chief Director, International Communications, TOKYO 2016
Masa Takaya (Mr), Manager, International Communications, TOKYO 2016
+81-3-5320-2480, masanori.takaya@tokyo2016.or.jp