Tokyo to Illuminate Historical Buildings during 2020 Games

Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)--The Tokyo metropolitan government plans to decorate historical buildings and other structures with lights toward the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Japanese capital, officials have said. The metropolitan government aims to make night views in Tokyo more attractive, as visitors from abroad are expected to increase before and during the quadrennial sporting events, the officials also said. In a draft strategy on night illuminations for its historical buildings, the metropolitan government designated three areas for intensive illuminations--along the Sumida River and around the Tokyo Bay, around Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace, and around the State Guest House at the Akasaka Palace. The draft calls for decorating public buildings, including cultural facilities, universities and Tokyo government offices. Infrastructure facilities, such as roads, bridges and port facilities, will be lit up as well. The metropolitan government plans to call for cooperation from the state and Tokyo ward governments, as well as companies, to create night views in a unified style in the illumination campaign. The three designated areas are rich in nature and dotted with famous historical and cultural assets. Meanwhile, the metropolitan government will give consideration to potential impacts on local residents from envisaged illuminations. The metropolitan government is considering light decorations using light-emitting diodes and projection mapping. After a public comment period, the metropolitan government will finalize the illumination strategy as early as March. END