Japan chooses Tokyo for 2016 bid

The Japanese Olympic Committee held a vote at a Tokyo hotel after presentations were made for each candidate city.

The capital, which hosted the Summer Games in 1964, prevailed over its southern rival by 33 votes to 22.

Japan joins Brazil, Spain, the United States and India among the potential host nations for the Games. The host city will be picked in 2009.

Tokyo has billed itself as the "compact" choice, promising to provide facilities for 26 of 28 sports within a six-mile radius of the city centre.

Fukuoka, the biggest city on the island of Kyushu, said it would base its Olympic facilities at three sites.

The selection committee was made up of 25 JOC executive board members, along with 30 representatives from sports federations and the Japan Sports Association for the Disabled.

The International Olympic Committee will send out requests for 2016 bids next spring.

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