Tokyo launch 2020 Olympic bid

Officials in Tokyo have confirmed that they are launching a bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games.

A February 15 deadline is in place for prospective host cities to deliver their bids.

However, Japanese officials arrived in Switzerland two days early to submit their proposal.

They will be up against the likes of Rome, Madrid, Istanbul, Doha, Qatar and Baku in the bidding for 2020 event.

"The Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee, together with the Japanese people, is truly honoured and excited to submit our nation's application file for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Tokyo 2020 President and Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda.

"We have learned valuable lessons from our previous bid, which are evident in these improved technical plans."

Japan previously failed with a bid to host the 2016 Games.