Japan at the Olympics

Japan first participated at the Olympic Games in 1912, and has competed at almost every Games since then. The nation was not invited to the 1948 Games after World War II, and was part of the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.

Since its first (ultimately canceled) bid in 1940, Japan has hosted the Olympics four times: in 1964, 1972, 1998, and 2021 (originally 2020). Each occasion coincided with critical turning points in Japan’s domestic development or global standing. The 1964 Tokyo Olympics were a pivotal moment in Japan’s postwar recovery, offering a visual spectacle of modernization that included the unveiling of the Shinkansen bullet train and the rapid reconstruction of Tokyo’s infrastructure. The event symbolized Japan’s reintegration into the international community after its defeat in World War II, marking its transition from a militaristic empire to a peaceful economic power aligned with Western liberal democracies.^[1]

The Olympics’ utility as a crisis-response tool became even more evident with the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, held in the shadow of the Asian Financial Crisis. While neighboring countries like South Korea and Thailand struggled with IMF-imposed austerity, Japan sought to distinguish itself as a stable economic force capable of weathering regional turmoil.^[2] The Nagano Olympics not only aimed to boost tourism and consumer confidence but also featured performances by Western orchestras and artists, symbolizing Japan’s cultural connectivity and shared values with the West.

The decision to pursue the 2020 Tokyo Olympics—despite the enormous public cost and eventual delay due to COVID-19—reflected similar motivations. Government officials emphasized the Games as a necessary stimulus for Japan’s sluggish economy and an opportunity to showcase its technological sophistication and preparedness in crisis.^[2]

Japan won its first medals in 1920, and its first gold medals in 1928. Japanese athletes have won 542 medals at the Summer Olympic Games (except art competitions), with the most gold medals won in judo, gymnastics, wrestling, and swimming, as of the end of the 2020 Summer Olympics. Japan has also won 76 medals at the Winter Olympic Games. Its most successful Olympics is the 2020 Games hosted in Tokyo.

The Japanese Olympic Committee was created in 1911 and recognized in 1912.^[3]

Japan have hosted the Games on four occasions, including the 2020 Summer Olympics (which was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic):

The 1964 Summer Olympics marks Japan hosting its first Olympic Games. It was held in the capital Tokyo. It was also the first time it was held in Asia.

The 1972 Winter Olympics marks the second time Olympics held in Japan. It was the first time held outside Tokyo because it was held at Sapporo.

Because of its snowy geographic, Japan would hosts its first Winter Olympics. It was also the first winter olympics held in Asia.

The 1998 Winter Olympics was the third time Japan hosted the Olympics and second for Winter. Was held at Nagano. The motto of the games is Coexistence with Nature (自然との共存)

The 2020 Summer Olympics marks the fourth time the Olympics was held in Japan. It was the first time it was held one year late (2021 instead of 2020) following the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. It marks the second time it was held in Tokyo. Its motto was United by Emotion (感動で、私たちはひとつになる). During that time, only the English version was used.

This motto appeals that "Sports enable us to overcome different environments and become one world through emotions such as joy and excitement that the athletes' competitive performances bring together in our hearts."^[4]

• List of flag bearers for Japan at the Olympics
• Category:Olympic competitors for Japan
• Japan at the Paralympics
• Japan at the Asian Games

• "Japan". International Olympic Committee. November 2021.
• "Japan". Olympedia.com.
• "Olympic Analytics/JPN". olympanalyt.com.