Japan to redraw US$2 billion Olympic stadium plans from scratch over spiralling costs

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday called for a complete review of plans for Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic stadium amid growing public anger over its eye-watering US$2 billion price tag.

“I have decided we must go back to the drawing board,” Abe said after meeting Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori, sports minister Hakubun Shimomura and Olympics minister Toshiaki Endo.

“We have looked at the logistics and construction period and I have made this decision because I was assured that we can definitely complete construction on time.

“We must control costs as far as possible,” he added. “We are determined to draw up the best possible plan, and we have to draft that plan as quickly as possible.”

The 2019 Rugby World Cup, to be held in Japan, became the first casualty of Friday’s decision, with organisers now forced to find alternative venues in Tokyo or Yokohama for matches, including the tournament final.

“Unfortunately we cannot build the stadium in time for the rugby World Cup,” said Abe, whose approval rating has plunged following his push to pass controversial security bills that opponents say undermine Japan’s pacifist constitution.”