InsideJapan News Network

Despite the devestation caused by the March 11th earthquake, the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) is still considering putting forward a bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games, it has been reported.

The JOC said it was "very surprised" to hear recent comments by Italian International Olympic Committee member Mario Pescante, who had said that Japan has decided not to pursue its planned bid, Japan Times reports.

Mr Pescante claimed that he was told of the decision by Japan's ambassador to Rome, but the suggestion has been dismissed out of hand by the JOC.

Yasuhiro Nakamori, the organisation's international relations director, said: "The JOC is considering the 2020 bid. We (have) not changed our policy."

Mr Nakamori added that the JOC will hold a strategy meeting next week (March 29th) to come to a final decision on their bid.

In other sports news, it has been announced that the Fed Cup tennis matches between Japan and Argentina will be played in Kobe instead of Tokyo.

The event has already been postponed from April until July 16th to 17th.

Written by Susan Ballion


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