The 1964 Tokyo Olympics were the first to be held in Asia and represented Japan’s opportunity to reassert itself on the global stage after World War II. In preparation for this significant event, a design committee was established in 1960, tasked with creating a unified visual identity. The committee set a simple design policy, emphasizing the consistent use of Olympic colors and uniformity in typography.

To develop the logo and poster series, the committee organized a design competition, inviting six of Japan’s top graphic designers to submit their proposals. Yūsaku Kamekura was one of the six participants. According to another competitor, Kamekura, who had overlooked the submission deadline, completed his design the night before the competition closed. Despite the last-minute creation, his design was chosen unanimously.

The prominent red circle in Kamekura’s logo was seen as a symbol of the Japanese flag (Hinomaru) and a means of restoring Japan’s nationalistic pride in the post-war era. For Kamekura, however, the circle represented more than just a national symbol; it embodied the passion and excitement of the Games themselves. (ss)