Now it seems like a great time to go back in history and celebrate the legacy of the 1964 Summer Olympic Games. The first ever Games to be held in Asia was widely considered as Japan's return to the international stage, and marked a seminal turning point in the nation's history.
The 1964 Games have been described as the first 'modern' Olympics, as they showcased Japan’s technological and architectural innovation with the country’s first high-speed bullet train in use, and the successful construction of Nippon Budokan, Yoyogi National Gymnasium, 12 new hotels and 36 major Olympic sites. The opening and closing ceremonies were also televised in colour and slow-motion capture was utilised, further enhancing Japan’s enduring image as a world leader in technology.
The logo for the 1964 Games has also remained a classic case study for simple and bold graphic design.
Most importantly, the Games were an opportunity for Japan to rebuild post-war Tokyo and re-emerge to the rest of the world as a peaceful nation.