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 The new logo, chosen from more than 14,000 candidates, adopts a
traditional indigo-blue checkered pattern called "ichimatsu moyo"
that dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868).
The individually-shaped rectangles in the design represented
differences in culture and nationalities and symbolized "unity in
diversity", the committee that chose the emblem said.
"It took me a long time to create this logo -- it's like my own
child," Tokyo-based artist Asao Tokoro, who designed the winning
emblem, told a packed news conference.
"I can't be an athlete but I have felt a longing towards the
Olympics since I was a child, and thought I can be involved through
design," he added.
 "From today, these emblems will serve as the face of the Tokyo 2020
Olympic and Paralympic Games. I very much hope that the emblems will
prove popular with people everywhere," said Ryohei Miyata, chairman
of the Tokyo 2020 Emblems Selection Committee.
The members of the committee emphasized the transparency of the
selection process, saying the logo was selected through an open
competition -- the first in Olympic history -- in an effort to
overcome setbacks caused by previous missteps.
A dispute over the original logo erupted soon after it was unveiled
last July, when a Belgian-based designer said it was too similar to
his emblem for a theater, demanding its use be halted and filing a
lawsuit in local court.
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The logo's designer Kenjiro Sano and Tokyo 2020 Olympics organizers
denied the pattern had been copied but eventually scrapped it,
saying its reputation was too damaged to be used.
Japan's second hosting of the Summer Games after Tokyo held the 1964
Olympics has been hampered by a series of setbacks, including a
complete overhaul of the stadium design, abandoned in response to
growing public anger over soaring costs.
The mishaps have tarnished Japan's reputation as a shrewd and
efficient operator, a notoriety that helped Tokyo win hosting rights
for the Games over Madrid and Istanbul in 2013.
(Editing by John O'Brien)
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