The World Economic Forum’s recently released Global Competitiveness Report ranked Japan in the top ten world’s most competitive countries/economies, and the results highlighted several factors where Japan is placed number one, such as “capacity for innovation” and “degree of customer orientation”.
The report assesses the competitiveness landscape of 144 economies, providing insight into drivers of their productivity and prosperity. According to the World Economic Forum, the report is the most comprehensive assessment of national competitiveness worldwide.
Tsunekazu Takeda, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and President of the Tokyo 2020 bid committee and the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) said, “I am very pleased to see that Japan’s excellent and consistent performance in a variety of areas are honoured in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report”.
The report highlights Japan’s “major competitive edge in business sophistication and innovation”. Japan ranks first worldwide in “capacity for innovation”.
Takeda said, “innovation is embedded in our plans for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, so we are happy to see a third party as reputable as the World Economic Forum herald Japan’s capabilities. Visitors to Tokyo today see innovation at its best, and in 2020 innovation will continue to come alive”.
He added, “the Global Competitiveness Report results clearly support the bid’s commitment to deliver a dynamic and spectacular celebration for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We will deliver a world-class experience to visitors from one of the world’s most forward thinking cities in the world”.
Masato Mizuno, Tokyo 2020 CEO and JOC Vice President, called the 12-day London Paralympic Games a huge success saying “we enjoyed every moment. The level of competition that our athletes displayed was truly inspiring. We are more enthusiastic than ever about bringing the Games to Tokyo in 2020. The London Games have raised the bar for the Olympic Movement, so Tokyo will spare no effort in reaching for an even higher level of achievement”.
The bid committee says its commitment to stage the Paralympic Games has been supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s initiatives to build a barrier-free city, promote sports for the disabled, and raise awareness of Paralympic athletic events. Tokyo 2020 is working closely with the Japan Paralympic Committee to ensure that the 2020 bid plan maximizes convenience, accessibility, and comfort for all Paralympians and spectators of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
