Tokyo 2020 main stadium ready for use

Tokyo’s New National Stadium for the 2020 Olympics, designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is a wooden lattice structure that blends into its wooded surroundings. (Kyodo)

TOKYO—Construction work on the new National Stadium, the main venue for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, has been completed, the Japan Sport Council reported.

Construction of the 157-billion yen ($1.4 billion) stadium started in December 2016. The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics as well as athletics and soccer events.

After the final inspection, the stadium will be handed over to the council authorities at noon on 30 November from a joint venture comprised of Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s office, construction giant Taisei Corp. and design firm Azusa Sekkei Co.

The stadium features a plant-covered facade designed to maintain harmony with the natural landscape of the neighboring Meiji Jingu Gaien area, while the eaves of the distinctive roof is made of wood gathered from the country’s 47 prefectures.

Construction on the 60,000-capacity stadium began about 14 months later than planned after the original design by the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid was discarded following a public outcry over the spiraling cost. It thus failed to host matches during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The Emperor’s Cup soccer final on 1 January will be the first public sporting event to be held at the venue. The 2020 Summer Games will take place between 24 July and 9 August, followed by the Paralympics from 25 August to 6 September.

Education minister Koichi Hagiuda said the government has decided not to draw up a plan to privatize the new stadium post-Games until after the fall of 2020.

According to Hagiuda, the privatization scheme has been pushed back for security reasons, as detailed architectural drawings of the stadium cannot be shown to potential bidders for the time being.

After undergoing renovations, the stadium is scheduled to start commercial operation in the latter half of 2022. (Kyodo)