The Tokyo Olympics and information infrastructure

 My first memory was that of the torchbearers of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. No, the torchbearers were not on television. I waved flags while watching the runners on the wide streets with my very own eyes. The previous time, instead of focusing on the media, all the stops were pulled to develop bullet trains, highways, as well as distribution and transportation networks. It was an industrial society.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be held right smack in the middle of an information society. It will be held in a global city. And as the previous Olympics focused on development, the one after that must focus on maturity. I hope for information infrastructure that will serve as a model to show the international community what a safe, peaceful, and mature country should be.

 In terms of digital networks, Japan is already at the forefront of the world. However, there are still issues to address. Firstly, we have the issue of Wi-Fi. In order to welcome visitors from all over the world, I want to arrange for the availability of wireless broadband throughout the entire city of Tokyo.

 Next, we have the issue of the usage of broadcasting signals. Although digital terrestrial broadcasting is already available, the true test lies on providing new services from now on. I wish to make it possible to use next-generation video services that combine both communication networks and broadcasting networks.

 When the Olympics officially begins, we should not concern ourselves with communications or broadcasting anymore, but instead concentrate on welcoming international visitors with the signage within the city, and making it possible for them to view the progress of all matches via their smartphones. We should also prepare multilingual information and public screenings with 4K/8K ultra-high definition television.

The "Digital Signage Consortium", which I represent, has issued these proposals aimed at 2020.

I want people from all over the world to enjoy the Olympics through multilingual public screenings, while sending messages of encouragement on their smartphones, buying sports goods that athletes are using, or partying and connecting themselves to social media. I hope to build up the excitement, yet show the world a Tokyo and Japan that is safer than anywhere else.