On September 7, 2013 at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Tokyo won their bid to host the games.

On August 3, 2016 it was reported that the IOC approved the addition of five sports to the program of the 2020 Olympics including the return of baseball and softball.

Tokyo was selected by the Japanese Olympic Committee on July 16, 2011 as Japan's bidding city for the 2020 Games.

[3] Prior to Tokyo's selection by the Japanese Olympic Committee, Hiroshima expressed interest in hosting but withdrew their plans to bid.

It is an advisory board comprises 64 members including Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda who is the top advisor on the council.

[9] The President of the Japanese Olympic Committee, Tsunekazu Takeda, stated in April 2012 that hosting the games could generate $2 billion for Tokyo.

[15] Ayano Egami who won a silver medal in synchronized swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics will serve as head of online and social media for the bid.

[28][29] In April 2013, the Tokyo 2020 chairman, Governor Naoki Inose, created controversy when he made a comment that was seen as a criticism of Istanbul and their bid for the 2020 Olympics.

But Islamic countries, the only thing they share in common is Allah and they are fighting with each other and they have classes.”[30] Criticizing rival bids are forbidden under IOC rules.

[32] At the Association of National Olympic Committees Extraordinary General Assembly in June 2013, Tokyo 2020 stressed the compactness of their bid.

[34][35] The 2020 IOC Evaluation Commission Report on the Candidate Cities for the 2020 Summer Olympics was released on June 25.

Inose stated that "the water in Tokyo is safe, and we have released this data on our website" and that "The radiation levels are no different than in London or Paris.

[39] [40] Prior to the host city election, Brazilian footballer Zico endorsed Tokyo's bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

In November 2012 the Japan Sport Council announced that out of 46 finalists, Zaha Hadid Architects was awarded the design for the new stadium.

Renovating the stadium would reduce costs of organizing the games in the event that Tokyo wins their bid.