Japan Sports Minister Says Construction Of Tokyo's Olympic Stadium Could Cost $3B

Japan Sports Minister Hakubun Shimomura said Wednesday that construction of Tokyo's new National Stadium for the 2020 Olympics could cost up to 300B yen ($3B), according to KYODO. Shimomura said that the "government will consider scaling back the project because the estimated amount is 'too massive.'" Shimomura warned that "fully realizing the streamlined design by London-based architect Zaha Hadid selected late last year could drive the cost up further." Shimomura added that he wants to "focus on reducing the costs of work on the stadium's environs." The Japanese government is "aiming to have the work completed by March 2019 in time for the Rugby World Cup that Japan will host in September and October of that year" (KYODO, 10/23).