Tokyo intends to bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics as a “big catalyst” for Japan’s recovery from the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami which hit the country last month,

The city’s governor Shintaro Ishihara made the statement following his re-election.

“Although they (the 2020 Games) are nine years from now, we can start raising our hand now,” he said. “If we will work hard with hopes for nine years ahead, it will be a big catalyst for our country’s reconstruction and revival.”  Ishihara commented.

Tokyo lost out to Rio de Janeiro in the race for the 2016 Summer Olympics in 2009.

Candidates for the 2020 Olympics are required to submit their bids to the IOC by September 1 this year. The host city will be chosen in Buenos Aires in September 2013.