Responses from businesses in rural communities recovering from the 2011 Tohoku disasters during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) significantly impacted the Tohoku Region in north-eastern Japan, leading to a large number of human casualties and environmental devastation. It exacerbated pre-existing economic and demographic decline. Tourism development was promoted as part of economic recovery and revitalization efforts. With Japan securing the winning bid for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, it was hoped that having some of the Olympic activities hosted in Tohoku would contribute to recovery efforts. This case study examines the perspectives of businesses in areas located near the Olympic venues in Tohoku, on what kind of effects the Olympics had on their operations.