TOKYO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- The construction work of the new National Stadium, the main venue for Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics next year, has been completed, the Japan Sport Council said Tuesday.
The Construction of the stadium, which cost 157 billion yen (1.4 billion U.S. dollars), began in December 2016.
It will be the venue to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics and also the athletics and soccer events.
After the final inspection is completed, the stadium will be handed over to the council on Nov. 30 from a joint venture made up of Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's office, construction company Taisei Corp. and design firm Azusa Sekkei Co.
According to the designers, the stadium features a plant-covered facade designed to maintain harmony with the natural landscape of the neighboring Meiji Jingu Gaien area, while the eaves of the distinctive roof is made from wood gathered from Japan's 47 prefectures.
Japanese education minister Koichi Hagiuda said the government will not come up with a privatization proposal of the new stadium post-Games until the fall of 2020.
The privatization plan has been pushed back for security reasons, as detailed architectural drawings of the stadium cannot be shown to potential bidders for the time being, according to Hagiuda.
But after undergoing renovations, the stadium will start commercial operation in the latter half of 2022.
