Sagami Rubber Industries views the Olympics as an opportunity to showcase its product.GETTY IMAGES
As Japan "gears up to host" the Rugby World Cup and Olympic Games in consecutive years, "many businesses are seizing on the opportunity to capitalize on the influx of tourists, media and athletes for both big events," according to Jack Tarrant of REUTERS. One business sector "looking to benefit" from the arrival of thousands of athletes is the local condom industry. It has become "tradition in the lead-up to Olympic Games" for tournament organizers to distribute thousands of free prophylactics. Sagami Rubber Industries, one of Japan's leading condom makers, is "hoping to use the Olympics to enhance awareness" of its ultra-thin Polyurethane sheaths. Sagami senior sales manager Hiroshi Yamashita believes Tokyo 2020 "can help broaden Sagami's scope worldwide." Olympic organizers have yet to name an official condom supplier. Yamashita, who predicts 150,000 condoms will be needed, said, "If the International Olympic Committee ask us then we would be very happy to supply our product for the Tokyo 2020 Games" (REUTERS, 5/25).
