Tokyo's victory for the right to host the 2020 Olympic Games is a reassurance to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's recent go-to catchphrase, "Japan is Back," with the slogan having appeared as the subtitle of the government's growth strategy and even as the title in one of Abe's policy speeches.
The message is clear: Abe believes that the nation is emerging from its decades-long deflation thanks to his economic policies and is on the path to regaining its status as a leading global economy. Abe, other political leaders and business leaders were quick to express their hope that the hosting of the Olympics, the world's largest international sporting event, will bring a boost to Japan's economy.
From Sept. 11 through 13 in Dalian, China, Japanese delegates to the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions, dubbed Summer Davos, will espouse Abe's message to policymakers from global businesses, governments, media, academia and other sectors. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will be making his first appearance at the annual event held in China.