Tokyo 1964 - NHK Broadcast Opening Sequence
Copyright (c) 1964 Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)
Video courtesy of: / @tarokoukoku7808
The Olympics went to Asia for the very first time as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad were held in Tokyo, Japan from 10 to 24 October 1964. The Japanese capital had been initially awarded the organization of the 1940 Games, but this honour was subsequently passed to Helsinki (later held the 1952 Games) due to Japan's invasion of China, just before ultimately being called off due to World War II.
Took place 19 years after the end of the war, these games have showcased a calm and modern Japan to the rest of the world, and the nation's rebirth, resilience, and their reemergence as a united, peaceful member of the international community, a global industrial power and an exporter of top-quality technological goods.
Tokyo hosted more than 5,000 athletes from 93 representing countries. These games have featured 19 sports encompassing 25 disciplines, with the sports of judo and volleyball - both of which were popular in Japan - have officially made their debuts into the Olympic programme.
Historically in the broadcasting industry, the Tokyo Games were also the first to be telecasted worldwide without the need for tapes to be flown overseas, as they had been for the Rome Olympics four years earlier. These were also the first Games to be shown in technicolor - albeit partially. Certain events such as sumo wrestling and judo matches were tried out using Toshiba's new colour transmission system, but only for the Japanese market.
