Buenos Aires, Argentina – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in Buenos Aires to present to the IOC on behalf of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games bids, downplayed any concerns about the Fukushima radiation leak.
“Let me assure you that the situation is under control,” he said.
“It has never done any damage to Tokyo.”
The leak reported last month occured in Fukushima, 250km from Tokyo and is contained to a 0.3 square km region. It has been connected to the Tokyo’s Olympic bid as a growing concern.
When the issue was further scrutinized during IOC questioning, Abe responded by blaming the media’s sensationalized headlines for distorting the severity of the problem.
“It poses no problems whatsoever – read through the headlines and look at the facts.”
He said tests have been conducted and everything is safe, that radiation level are within acceptable limits and no one has become sick.
He committed to “render this situation completely problem free”
“I am responsible.”
“I will discharge that responsibility.”
He went on to emphasize the importance of the Olympic bid to Tokyo and Japan, and the world.
“Legacy is not just about buildings – it is about global vision.”
“Choosing Tokyo 2020 means choosing a new powerful booster for the Olympic movement.”
The presentations at the Buenos Aires Hilton Continue and the vote will be later today. More to come.
