Tokyo, Japan, December 16, 2019: The new National Stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Tokyo next summer will take place, is complete and has been officially opened at a ceremony attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Completely rebuilt for the 2020 Games, the stadium is a symbol of great pride in Japan, as it was used as the main stadium for the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964. Following the Games, it will be used for sporting and cultural events. The 68,000-seat capacity stadium will also host events in athletics and football. “We believe the stadium will become an irreplaceable legacy – a place that will allow people to spend healthy and fulfilling days enjoying sport for another 50 years or even longer,” said Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto. “With this in mind, we will continue our preparations for hosting the best Games ever.” Designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the stadium complements the surrounding area, which includes a large green space known as the Outer Garden of Meiji Jingu Shrine. Envisioned to be a “living tree”, the exterior of the stadium consists of multi-layered eaves made of wood from each of the 47 prefectures in Japan. More than 47,000 small- to medium-sized trees were planted within the area. The first event to be held in the stadium will be the Japan Football Association’s 99th Emperor's Cup final on January 1, 2020.
Japanese PM Abe attends opening ceremony of new national stadium in Tokyo
