Japan to scale back main stadium for 2020 Games

Japan's sports minister has revealed plans to scale back the main stadium for the Tokyo summer Olympics as the government runs short of money. (Japan Sport Council/AP)

TOKYO — Japan’s sports minister has revealed plans to scale back the main stadium for the Tokyo summer Olympics as the government runs short of money and time.

Under the latest plans, a planned retractable roof won’t be built in time for the 2020 Games, and some of the 80,000 seats would be temporary ones, Japanese media reports on Monday.

Hakubun Shimomura, whose ministry oversees sports, education and science, made the remarks in an exchange of views with Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe before the media.

Plans for the new stadium have been criticized by some prominent architects, who say the design is too big and expensive. It is due to be completed in 2019.

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.