74% of Japanese companies against daylight saving time for 2020 Olympics: poll

Sep 15, 2018 | News On Japan

Sep 15, 2018 (Japan Today) - Three-quarters of Japanese firms oppose a proposal to adopt daylight saving time ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a Reuters poll showed on Friday, citing the time and effort to adjust computer systems as well as disruptions to public life.

Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics have floated the idea after scorching heat this summer killed at least 120 people, raising concerns about the safety of athletes, particularly marathon runners.

The Games will be held in late July and early August, Japan's hottest, most humid months. Events such as the marathon, scheduled for the morning, could be held during cooler hours if clocks were moved forward by one or two hours.

The survey, conducted Aug 29-Sept 10, found 74 percent of companies were against the idea.

"There are so many disadvantages. Events such as the marathon should be held at night. The state completely lacks a sense of the cost," wrote a manager at a metal products maker in the comments section of the survey.

Just 17 percent of firms support any permanent adoption, while 9 percent said they were in favor if it was just for 2020.

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