How many times has Japan hosted the Olympics?
When Tokyo and Sapporo were chosen as the host cities for the 1940 Summer and Winter Olympics respectively, they became the first non-Western cities that were selected to host the Olympics. However, before the plan could come to fruition, war broke out between Japan and China in 1937, which led to the Japanese Government forfeiting its right to host the Games. Japan got its chance to host the Games again, this time, in 1964. This was the first time Japan successfully hosted an edition of the Olympics Games, which was held from October 10-24. READ: Lighting ceremony starts Tokyo leg of torch relay  In 1972, the Winter Olympics was hosted by Sapporo, a city in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. After the plans to host the 1940 Winter Olympics were cancelled due to the outbreak of the Second World War, Sapporo got its turn to host the 1972 edition, which took place from February 3-13. Nagano, the capital and largest city in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics, which took place from February 7-22. Shinzo Abe wont be around, at least not in an official capacity, when the postponed Olympics are set to open on July 23, 2021 after resigning from the Prime Minister's post due to a chronic health condition. - Getty Images  Tokyo again got the chance to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, Japans first in Summer Olympics in 56 years. However, it was postponed to 2021 due to the outbreak of the raging COVID-19 pandemic, which still has its roots dug deep across the globe. The Tokyo Games will finally begin on July 23 and end on August 8.