Japan National Stadium

Coordinates: 35°40′41.5″N 139°42′52.5″E / 35.678194°N 139.714583°E / 35.678194; 139.714583
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Japan National Stadium
国立競技場
Aerial view, 2020
Map
Full nameJapan National Stadium
Location10-2, Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Coordinates35°40′41.5″N 139°42′52.5″E / 35.678194°N 139.714583°E / 35.678194; 139.714583
Public transit E25 Kokuritsu-Kyōgijō
East Japan Railway Company JB12 Sendagaya
OwnerJapan Sport Council
Capacity68,000 (track and field)
68,698 (football)[1]
80,016 (football and rugby union, maximum with temporary seats over running track)
Field size107 × 71 m
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground11 December 2016; 7 years ago (2016-12-11)
BuiltDecember 2016 – 30 November 2019
Opened21 December 2019; 4 years ago (2019-12-21)
Construction costUS$1.4 billion (¥157 billion)
ArchitectKengo Kuma
Tenants
Japan national rugby union team
Japan national football team
The rugby game Classic Meiji University versus Waseda University at 56th All-Japan University Rugby Championship - final
Outside and inside the stadium, 2022
A scene from the 2020 Summer Olympics opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, with drones flying around and creating the official logo of the Games

The Japan National Stadium, officially the National Stadium (国立競技場, Kokuritsu Kyōgijō),[2][3][4][5][6] alternatively “Olympic Stadium” (オリンピックスタジアム, Orinpikku Sutajiamu, during 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics),[7][8] and formerly “New National Stadium” (新国立競技場, Shin Kokuritsu Kyōgijō) is a multi-purpose stadium used mostly for association football in Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. The facility served as the main stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the venue for track and field athletics events at the 2020 Summer Olympics and 2020 Summer Paralympics in 2021.

Demolition of the old National Stadium was completed in May 2015, allowing for the construction of the new stadium to begin on 11 December 2016.

The original plans for the new stadium were scrapped in July 2015 by Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, who announced a rebid after a public outcry prompted by increased building costs. As a result, the new design was not ready for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, as originally intended.[9] A new design created by architect Kengo Kuma was chosen in December 2015 to replace the original design, which was completed on 30 November 2019.[10]

History[edit]

After Tokyo submitted their bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics, there was talk of possibly renovating or reconstructing the National Olympic Stadium. The stadium would host the opening and closing ceremonies as well as track and field events.[11]

In February 2012, it was confirmed that the stadium would be demolished and reconstructed, and receive a £1 billion upgrade. In November 2012, renderings of the new national stadium were revealed, based on a design by architect Zaha Hadid. The stadium was demolished in 2015 and the new one was originally scheduled to be completed in March 2019.[12] The new stadium will be the venue for athletics, rugby, some football games, and the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics and Paralympics.[13]

The Japanese government announced several changes to Hadid's design in May 2015, citing budget constraints, including cancelling plans to build a retractable roof and converting some permanent seating to temporary seating.[14] The site area was also reduced from 71 acres (290,000 m2) to 52 acres (210,000 m2). Several prominent Japanese architects, including Toyo Ito and Fumihiko Maki, criticized Hadid's design, with Ito comparing it to a turtle and Maki calling it a white elephant; others criticized the stadium's encroachment on the outer gardens of the Meiji Shrine. Arata Isozaki, on the other hand, commented that he was "shocked to see that the dynamism present in the original had gone" in the redesign of Hadid's original plan.[15]

The roof of the new stadium was particularly problematic from an engineering perspective, as it required the construction of two steel arches 370 metres (1,210 ft) long. Even after design changes, the stadium was estimated to cost over 300 billion yen, more than three times the cost of the London Olympic Stadium and more than five times the cost of the Beijing Olympic Stadium.[16]

The Japanese government reached an agreement in June 2015 with Taisei Corporation and Takenaka Corporation to complete the stadium for a total cost of around 250 billion yen. The new plan maintained the steel arch design while reducing the permanent capacity of the stadium to 65,000 in track mode with an additional 15,000 simple temporary seats available, allowing for an 80,000 capacity for football and the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[17][18]

However, on 17 July 2015, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe announced that plans to build the new National Stadium would be scrapped and rebid upon amid public discontent over the stadium's building costs. As a result, Abe said that a replacement venue would have to be selected for the Rugby World Cup, as the new stadium would not be ready until the 2020 Olympics.[9]

As of 28 August 2015, the Japanese Government released new standards for the National Stadium's reconstruction. The fixed capacity would be 68,000 and be expandable to 80,000 through the use of temporary seats over the athletics track. The government also abandoned the retractable roof; instead a permanent roof will be constructed over the spectator seating only.

And also, a sports museum and sky walkway that were part of the scrapped design were eliminated, while VIP lounges and seats were reduced, along with reduced underground parking facilities. These reductions result in a site of 198,500 square meters, 13% less than originally planned. Air conditioning for the stadium was also abandoned upon request of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, and when asked about the abandonment Minister for the Olympics Toshiaki Endo stated that, "Air conditioners are installed in only two stadiums around the world, and they can only cool temperatures by 2 or 3°C".[19]

Concern over indoor temperatures has also been raised, since, for cost reduction, Tokyo's New National Stadium was built without an air conditioner, and the roof was constructed over the spectator seating only.[20]

The government slated a decision on contractors and a design by December 2015, with construction to begin at its latest in December 2016.[19] Designers partnered with contractors to submit a design alongside construction cost and timing estimates. It has been revealed that the athletics track will be a permanent feature not to be demolished for the additional 12,000 seats for any future World Cup bid.[21] As of 18 September 2015, two contractors submitted bids for the process: the Taisei Corporation working with architect Kengo Kuma, and a consortium of several major Japanese contractors including the Takenaka, Shimizu, and Obayashi corporations working with architect Toyo Ito. Former winning architect Zaha Hadid was unable to find a (Japanese) contractor willing to work with her design, and was therefore forced to abandon efforts to resubmit her revised design in the new competition.[22]

On 21 December 2015, the Japan Sport Council announced that Kuma and the Taisei Corporation had been selected to design and construct the National Olympic Stadium.[23] The stadium began construction in December 2016, and was set to conclude on 30 November 2019 when the stadium would be handed over to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for necessary games and ceremony preparations, including test events. The new design would hold 68,089 in athletics mode with the ability to construct temporary seating over the permanent track to create an increased capacity of 80,016.[24] Capacity during the Olympic Games will be 60,102 taking into account press and executive seating areas. This capacity is further lessened for the Paralympics to 57,750 to add more handicap accessible seating. However, all events were held behind closed doors, so no spectators were allowed.[citation needed]

The inauguration took place on 21 December 2019 with a special ceremony.[25] The stadium's inaugural sporting event, the 2019 Emperor's Cup final, took place on 1 January 2020.[26] Vissel Kobe won their first ever trophy.[citation needed]

In October 2021, the Government of Japan decided to keep the athletics track and scrap the initial plan of removing it for an increased capacity for football and rugby matches, which was originally set in 2017. Additionally, it was announced that the stadium is currently bidding for hosting the 2025 World Athletics Championships.[27] The 2025 Athletics Championship will be the first major spectator event for athletics at the stadium.[citation needed]

As part of celebration of the 30th anniversary of J. League, the stadium announced to hold two J1 League matches in May 2023. Home team FC Tokyo won 2–1 against the 10-men Kawasaki Frontale on 12 May. Kashima Antler will face Nagoya Grampus two days later.

Concerts[edit]

Description[edit]

The stadium is unusual in that timber is used as a major component of the structure, all of it sourced from Japan in order to reduce environmental impact. Many of the wooden elements are in modular form, which can be replaced when the timber deteriorates. The certified wood has been sourced from all 47 prefectures of Japan following a tradition started by the Meiji Shrine. The design of the eaves was inspired by the Hōryū-ji and incorporates air spaces which make best use of the prevailing wind conditions to ventilate the interior space. Part of the roof incorporates transparent solar panels and rain water is collected in underground cisterns and is used to irrigate the arena turf as well as the numerous plants on the top storey promenade. Accessibility has been a major concern, resulting in more than 450 places for wheelchair users, as well as toilets using the latest technology.[28]

Gallery[edit]

Construction[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Bid Evaluation Report" (PDF). FIFA. 10 June 2020. pp. 177–178. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Olympic Stadium". 2020 Summer Olympics official website. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  3. ^ "国立競技場 一般の皆さまへ初めてのお披露目イベント開催のお知らせ 「国立競技場オープニングイベント ~HELLO, OUR STADIUM~」 日本を代表するアスリートやアーティストなどと一緒に競技場完成を祝う 1日限りのスペシャルイベント!" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). Japan Sport Council. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  4. ^ "Japan National Stadium, Main Venue of 2020 Games, Completed". nippon.com. 30 November 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Olympics: National Stadium launched ahead of 2020 Tokyo Games". Kyodo News. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  6. ^ "New National Stadium declared finished nearly eight months ahead of Tokyo Olympics". The Japan Times. 30 November 2019. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  7. ^ "オリンピックスタジアム|競技会場等|大会情報|東京2020大会開催準備|東京都オリンピック・パラリンピック準備局". www.2020games.metro.tokyo.lg.jp. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  8. ^ "オリンピックスタジアム(新国立競技場)|東京オリンピック2020会場:朝日新聞デジタル". 朝日新聞デジタル (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  9. ^ a b Himmer, Alastair (17 July 2015). "Japan rips up 2020 Olympic stadium plans to start anew". news.yahoo.com. AFP. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  10. ^ "New National Stadium declared finished nearly eight months ahead of Tokyo Olympics". japantimes.co.jp. 30 November 2019. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  11. ^ "Tokyo 2020 Bid Venue Could Be Renovated". GamesBids.com. 21 September 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014.
  12. ^ "Dazzling re-design for 2019 World Cup final venue". ESPNscrum. Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  13. ^ "Venue Plan". Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  14. ^ "Japan plans to scale back stadium for 2020 Tokyo Olympics". AP. 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  15. ^ Qin, Amy (4 January 2015). "National Pride at a Steep Price: Olympic Stadium in Tokyo Is Dogged by Controversy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  16. ^ "新国立、迫る契約期限 国とゼネコンの調整難航 屋根の巨大アーチ、斬新ゆえ「難工事」". Nihon Keizai Shimbun. 22 June 2015. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  17. ^ "新国立、整備費2500億円 従来デザイン維持で決着". Nihon Keizai Shimbun. 24 June 2015. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  18. ^ "国立競技場将来構想有識者会議". 日本スポーツ振興センター. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  19. ^ a b "The Japan News". The Japan News. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015.
  20. ^ "【新国立競技場】冷房取りやめ、熱中症は大丈夫? 総工費1550億円 当初の観客数6万8000人". 産経ニュース (in Japanese). 28 August 2015. Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  21. ^ "入札・公募情報 | 調達情報 | JAPAN SPORT COUNCIL". jpnsport.go.jp. Japan Sport Council. Archived from the original on 19 September 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2017. (in Japanese)
  22. ^ NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) (18 September 2015). "2 groups enter bids to build Tokyo Olympic Stadium". nhk.or.jp. NHK World News. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  23. ^ "審査等の結果". www.jpnsport.go.jp. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  24. ^ "技術提案等審査委員会". www.jpnsport.go.jp. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  25. ^ Bernardi, Kevin (21 December 2019). "Tokyo 2020 : Inauguration officielle du Stade Olympique". Sport & Société - Kévin Bernardi. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  26. ^ "Emperor's Cup final to be first event at new National Stadium in 2020". The Japan Times. 11 October 2018. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  27. ^ "Japan gov't to keep National Stadium as hybrid athletics-football venue". Kyodo News. Tokyo. 28 October 2021. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  28. ^ "Designing the National Stadium, making use of wood and natural breezes". www.u-tokyo.ac.jp. University of Tokyo. March 2020. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.

External links[edit]

Preceded by Summer Olympics
Opening and closing ceremonies venue (Olympic Stadium)

2021
Succeeded by
River Seine (opening ceremony)
Jardins du Trocadéro (closing ceremony)
Paris
Preceded by Summer Olympics
Athletics competitions
Main venue

2021
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Estádio Olímpico João Havelange
Rio de Janeiro
Summer Paralympics
Athletics competitions
Main venue

2021
Succeeded by
Stade de France
Saint-Denis, Paris