Tokyo organizers say 17 companies backing 2016 Olympic bid

Tokyo says 17 sponsors backing 2016 Olympic bid

TOKYO — Tokyo now has 17 Japanese companies serving as official sponsors for the city’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics, organizers said Thursday.

The sponsors include sports apparel companies Asics and Descente, beer maker Asahi, toymaker Bandai, commercial carriers Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, Internet giant Yahoo Japan, and parcel service Yamato Transport.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has set aside a $4 billion fund for the Olympic games, while major business lobbies Japan Business Federation and Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry have offered to provide overall support, the organizers said.