In an alternative universe, here's how Japan might have won the right to host the Olympic Games in 2016 with a glowing pitch to the International Olympics Committee (IOC) in Copenhagen.

Japan's presentation for its Olympic bid began with a refugee girl tearfully thanking the Japanese government for allowing her family to settle in Japan, and for the scholarship that allowed her to enroll in medical school so that she could become a doctor for refugee children.

In Japanese, the girl urged the world to visit Japan to experience a "caring society with an objective to reach out and support humanity all over the world." (The gathered journalists applauded heartily.)

Next, a biracial middle-aged man came to the podium and introduced himself as Denny Tamaki, a newly elected Lower House member from Okinawa. Listing the Olympic aquatic sports to be held in Okinawa, he invited visitors to the Olympics to enjoy the southern islands, describing Okinawa's "beautiful beaches," a "warm, passionate culture," plus a "wondrous diet contributing to longevity that is the envy of the world."

Smiling faces of great-great- grandmothers filled the overhead screen monitors as Tamaki described how Japan can "teach the world" how to live "longer, slower and happier" lives. His election reflected "positive changes for diversity" in Japan. (African and Asian IOC delegates looked intently at the screen depicting wind surfers off the beaches of Okinawa.)

Japan's prime minister then approached the podium with a bearded man and a woman, both in dark-blue traditional dress. He announced a national environmental and sustainability project based on Ainu spiritual concepts, the bold objective of which was to restore natural beauty and "wilderness" to the Japanese archipelago. He declared that the Olympic athletic "villages" would be ecologically self-sustaining and filled with Ainu teachings about nature: bountiful forests, clean rivers, blue skies.

The Ainu couple recited a poem about how the bear spirit must be respected, and about a future when wild salmon would again swim in Japanese rivers. (As journalists jostled to take photos, the IOC delegates shook hands with the couple.)

The spotlight next shone on two brothers who jammed on Tsugaru-style samisen — strong rhythms that brought the IOC delegates and journalists to their feet. A line of lithe awa-odori dancers filed in as young Japanese distributed traditional sweets to the standing crowd.

On the overhead screen, IOC delegates were mesmerized by thousands of European youth dressed as Pokemon anime characters marching in support of Japan's bid in downtown Copenhagen.

After Tokyo's win, Brazil President Lula da Silva declared to the media that Japan's unique "cool" culture based on "tradition, spirituality, health and environment" had overwhelmed Rio de Janeiro's bid. He was heard muttering about Japan's "beach trick."

U.S. President Barack Obama congratulated Japan for its call to "diversity and inclusiveness." He added that "the great music and dancing got me up, too." The Madrid delegation was last seen following the awa-odori dancers.

Such is an alternative universe.

Ray K. Tsuchiyama advises startups and multinationals on branding, sales and innovation. He has held executive positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Analog Devices and AOL/Time Warner.