Mitsuhei Murata Former Japanese Ambassador to Switzerland Dr. Thomas Bach
President of the International Olympic
Committee
Tokyo, September 4, 2015
Dear President Thomas Bach,
Please allow me to send you my fifth letter.
As you know, Japan has withdrawn the Emblem of 2020 Olympic Games.I
cannot but express my candid feelings on the future of the Tokyo
Olympic Games.
It is now undeniable that it is irresponsibility that characterizes the
system in charge of the 2020 Olympic Games. No one has assumed
responsibility for cancelling the National Stadium, nor for withdrawing
the Emblem.
Under such circumstances, it is difficult to trust new commitments
needed to realize the 2020 Olympic Games. It would be disastrous if the
expectations should be betrayed again after a lengthy lapse of
time spent in anxiety.
The worsening situation in Fukushima could give rise to a massive boycott.
Even the future of the Olympic Games is thus at stake.
I sent a message to Governor Youichi Masuzoe on September 2,conveying
to him my thinking that It would be the IOC that would benefit the most
from the “honorable retreat” of Japan,and that, if Japan does not take
this initiative, the IOC could contemplate on disqualifying Japan for
having misled it and seriously damaged the image of the Olympic Games.
Please allow me to count on your understanding and support.
With highest and warmest regards,
Mitsuhei Murata
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