In preparing a bid to host the 2020 Olympics, Tokyo is planning to include areas that were ravaged by the recent tsunami and earthquake.
It's an effort to use the developmental power of hosting the Olympics to speed recovery of tsunami-hit areas.
"Tokyo, which hosted the 1964 Olympics, have yet to formally announce a bid but is expected to do so.
JOC chief Tsunekazu Takeda met with government officials from Japan's northeastern region Saturday and told them he wanted the 2020 Games in Tokyo to stand as a 'symbol of recovery.'
'We want to help rehabilitate Japan through sports,' Takeda said.
Takeda said Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima - the three prefectures hardest hit by the disaster - could host events such as football if Tokyo wins the right to host the Olympics."
FULL STORY: Tokyo's bid to host 2020 Olympic Games will include tsunami-hit areas

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UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
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Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research