Why oppose the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games? Framing Fukushima through the Reconstruction Olympics

The hypothesis of this thesis posits that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games framed the moral idea of reconstruction to downplay the gravity of Japan’s reality under the eyes of an international audience. The legacy that the JOC has composed surrounding the reconstruction and recovery of Fukushima is in conflict with the views of Japanese anti-Olympic organizations. Through Erving Goffman’s 1974’s Framing Theory, “Reconstruction Olympics” seem to fit the concept of fabrication. The observations and experiences regarding the recovery of Fukushima by evacuees do not align with the fabricated framework by the JOC and the Japanese government, resulting in resistance to the Olympic Games by protest groups. The framing of the Games has played a fundamental role in the formation of its official narrative. Three groups Hangorin no Kai, Okotowari Link and Friends of the Earth Japan will be analyzed through their blog posts, which together seem to be in agreement on the topic of Fukushima’s...Show moreThe hypothesis of this thesis posits that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games framed the moral idea of reconstruction to downplay the gravity of Japan’s reality under the eyes of an international audience. The legacy that the JOC has composed surrounding the reconstruction and recovery of Fukushima is in conflict with the views of Japanese anti-Olympic organizations. Through Erving Goffman’s 1974’s Framing Theory, “Reconstruction Olympics” seem to fit the concept of fabrication. The observations and experiences regarding the recovery of Fukushima by evacuees do not align with the fabricated framework by the JOC and the Japanese government, resulting in resistance to the Olympic Games by protest groups. The framing of the Games has played a fundamental role in the formation of its official narrative. Three groups Hangorin no Kai, Okotowari Link and Friends of the Earth Japan will be analyzed through their blog posts, which together seem to be in agreement on the topic of Fukushima’s recovery. Their discourse presents a clear counter-narrative to the discourse presented by the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Reconstruction in the narrative of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games should show results, however, due to fabrication the state of Fukushima is discredited by the JOC and the Japanese government.Show less

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Why oppose the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games? Framing Fukushima through the Reconstruction Olympics