September 19, 2014
Governor attends the 17th Asian Games opening ceremony, meets with Incheon Mayor
Having been invited to attend the opening ceremony of the 17th Asian Games, Governor Masuzoe visited Incheon, South Korea, from September 19 to September 21.
During the trip, the governor attended the opening ceremony, visited event venues for the Games, and, at a reception organized by the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), conveyed his gratitude to International Olympic Committee (IOC) members from Asian countries and others for their support of Tokyo's bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He also visited Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon, the host city of the Asian Games, and exchanged views on financial issues as well as post-Games utilization of event venues.
Returning to Japan, Governor Masuzoe told reporters at Haneda Airport, "I found some problems with transportation access; buses were the only public transportation means, and a traffic jam around an event venue was making the travel time longer. But the opening ceremony, including the show, was performed superbly, and the Games were full of vitality and successfully conveyed the theme "Asia is one." Although it was a short trip, I was able to see and hear many things that give us useful clues for our preparations for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Also, I talked with Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok about ways to utilize venues after the event. I think it is also essential for Tokyo to make good use of existing facilities and leave positive Olympic legacies that will be appreciated by Tokyo residents in the future."
