[1] In preparation, the Japanese constructed new largescale facilities at Sapporo and conducted a trial run a full year in advance of the Games.

An international sport week was held in February, 1971, to assess the city's preparations as well as "to test its civic mettle and hospitality", and this effort was acclaimed by Olympic observers as "a complete success".

[2] The development of new infrastructure proved to be a huge boon for the Sapporo economy: by the time of the Games, the national government had invested some US$500 million in upgrades, including a new subway.

[2] The Games' organizers themselves turned a healthy profit in part because they arranged a record $8.47 million for broadcasting rights with American companies.

The Republic of China (commonly known as Taiwan) and the Philippines participated in their first Winter Olympic Games.