Japan dismisses 2020 Olympics games logo plagiarism claims

Japan dismisses 2020 Olympics games logo plagiarism claims

Japan’s Olympics Minister Toshiaki Endo said on Friday there was no problem with their new logo after discussions arose about possible plagiarism, with internet commentators suggesting there was a resemblance to an overseas design.

The emblem, unveiled last week, had already received mixed reviews from the Japanese public and risks becoming the latest in a series of missteps to mar Japan’s reputation as it prepares to host the Summer Games for the second time in 2020.

Designed by Kenjiro Sano, the logo — which includes black for diversity and a red circle that echoes the Japanese flag — centres around a loose representation of the letter “T”.

However, questions about the motif erupted on social media after Belgian-based designer Olivier Debie uploaded the logo for the Theatre de Liege in Belgium, with many commentators demanding clarification about what they said was too much similarity.

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee insisted the design underwent thorough checks before being unveiled, and Endo, the head of government task force for the Olympics reiterated it.

“The Organizing Committee has said there was no problem on the design of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics emblems as the committee has conducted verifications domestically and internationally before the selection,” Endo said in a news conference.

NHK national television said the emblem also resembled the logo drawn up by a Spanish designer to help raise money for Japan after the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

IOC Director of Communications Mark Adams told NHK that similar problems had arisen before, most recently with the logo for the 2016 Rio Games.

Endo said he would leave judgment to sports fans.

“There are numerous designers over the world creating designs based on their own idea, so whether it resembles or does not resemble is purely a personal opinion. I’ve heard that there has been a controversy over the design of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics emblems. I’ll leave the judgment to the sports fans,” Endo said.

Japan won the bid to host the Games in 2013 largely on its reputation for organisational prowess, but has been hit by a series of logistical problems ever since, including the scrapping of the design for the centrepiece Olympic stadium earlier this month due to soaring costs.

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories