How much has each government ministry and agency spent on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, how much will they spend and on which projects? The government must make the whole picture clear to earn the trust of the public.
The Board of Audit's survey revealed that the central government has so far spent 801.1 billion yen on the Tokyo Games "related projects." The central government's share of the burden had been put at 150 billion yen, mainly for construction of the New National Stadium, but the board's figure far exceeds this amount.
Expenses for the Olympics are categorized as "Games expenses" that are directly necessary to carry out the event, such as constructing venues, and "related project expenses" such as the development of infrastructure linked to the Games. The whole picture of administrative costs has not been ascertained.
The figure of 801.1 billion yen is simply the sum of costs reported by government bodies as related policy measures.
In the first place, it is unrealistic to estimate that the central government's spending will ultimately be 150 billion yen for construction of the New National Stadium and other matters for the world's largest sports festival. It is significant that the fact was presented that state funds are being spent on a wide range of 286 projects in the name of the Games.
What is problematic is that the 801.1 billion yen in spending includes a number of projects whose links to the Games are unclear.
Focus on necessary measures
They include costs related to the launch of the Himawari 8 weather satellite earmarked as a measure against heat, and subsidies for the purchase of eco-friendly vehicles. They may be necessary projects, but it is undeniable that linking them to the Games is a stretch.
It is reasonable for the Board of Audit to have urged the government to carefully examine the projects' relevance to the Games and to make clear the whole picture.
It has also been found that the distinction between "Games expenses" and "related project expenses" is unclear. Shouldn't some projects reported as "related projects," including anti-doping projects, be categorized as "Games expenses?" If the line remains unclear, it will be possible to understate the cost of the Games.
How much will the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics cost? It was estimated that it would be 1.35 trillion yen. Added to the central government spending on related expenses just reported by the board and the costs of projects shouldered by the Tokyo metropolitan government, the amount reaches 2.81 trillion yen. Some say the total amount will exceed 3 trillion yen.
It is said that the 2012 London Games, the last Games held in an advanced country, cost 2.1 trillion yen. For the Tokyo Games, it is necessary to continue working to keep the expenses from expanding. It is important to eliminate wasteful spending while securing funds for truly necessary matters such as anti-heat and counterterrorism measures.
Promotion of barrier-free projects to make the lives of disabled people easier will help leave assets for the future. In addition to making efforts to lead the Games to success, the perspective of leaving a legacy must not be forgotten.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 15, 2018)
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