Tokyo assembly cancels mission to Rio over spiraling costs

TOKYO – The Tokyo metropolitan assembly will not send a mission to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics because of spiraling costs.

Tokyo assembly members were scheduled to observe the Olympics in August as Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Games.

The move comes days after the resignation of Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe over criticism of his misuse of political funds and expensive overseas business trips.

The assembly determined the costs are expected to drastically exceed initial estimates of around $610,000 due partly to surging hotel fees, Kyodo news agency reported.

A citizens’ ombudsman submitted a request to the assembly’s president to have the trip cancelled.

Some assembly members will go to Rio on their own expense, citing the necessity to do so as members of an assembly of the next host city.

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