Since it’s unveiling in July, the logo for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and its designer Kenjiro Sano, have been mired in controversy amid accusations of plagiarism and a decidedly tepid reaction from the public.
Whilst Mr. Sano denies the claims, it appears that whoever put together the mockups highlighting how the emblem might be used in public settings around Tokyo also decided to take some liberties with others work – most notably mine!
The graphic above was emailed to me by a “concerned citizen” who somehow managed find out that the background photo used for the composite illustration of Shibuya came from a blog post I wrote a number of years ago.
Whilst it’s very cool to see one of my photos being used in this way it would have been nice if they’d at least asked.
Note: I provide all my photos on Flickr under a Creative Commons license, but they’re only for non-commercial use and must be attributed.
Update (1 Sept 2015):
It’s just been announced the emblem, designed by Kenjiro Sano, has been dropped amid the plagiarism claims. Many media organisations have been asking for my comment so in order to save some time below are some FAQs:
1. Did anybody from Mr. Sano’s office “Mr_Design” ask for permission to use your photos?
No
2. If you could prove Mr. Sano’s plagiarism, would you file a law suit against him?
No
3. How do you feel about his behaviour towards design and copyright?
It seems that Mr. Sano’s staff were careless about asking for permission to use other people’s work which isn’t very professional, especially given the high-profile nature of the project.
4. What do you think about the decision that the organising committee made?
I think this situation has been blown out of proportion. I liked Mr. Sano’s design for the Tokyo 2020 olympic emblem so I’m sad to hear that it’s been dropped.
Stay with the feeling that it is a shame as the Japanese
Sorry to be a pain
Sano is terrible criminal
We are planning a demonstration in Tokyo.
We will request to change his Olympic logo.
This time, Sano that stole selfishly your design, I think really ashamed as a Japanese.And He has a responsibility to compensate the tightly sin, many Japanese believe.
Oh my god…
I’m so sorry to involve you in such a ridiculous thing.
As a Japanese, I am very ashamed of his rude attitude.
I’m ashamed as one of Japanese.
I thought a lot about us and I want you to hear my feelings,
that 95% of Japanese feel bitter resentment with Sano,
who is a robber and a self‐styled artist.
All we feel for the pains of you.
I’m very ashamed of this as a Japanese.
I hope the logo will be changed soon.
Eventhough, I feel no power for such a huge big global event.
So many things were decided by pathetic thoughts and souls…
Don’t SANO!
Why is Japan government didnt do a thing?
The IOC said it’s not plagiarism.
However, all these proof and claims are more than enough to say that there’s something wrong with the logo (and its designer).
The fact that Sano is connected with inside IOC people is such a terrible case of bribery here.
It’s throwing muds all over Japan.
Do something Japan!
I’m so sorry this happened, I really am. I can’t forgive what Sano did since I’m a Japanese too. I hope you don’t hate Japan
Do not worry; no one is blaming Japan. Japan is a beautiful country with many wonderful people and many beautiful places for which one should be proud. Love for Japan!
That’s very kind of you, thank you Lucia! We’ll try to be better citizens and form a better tomorrow
I’m Japanese. I very sad this happening.
Please, don’t hate Japan. Japan include many kind people.
As a Japanese, awfully ashamed of his, Sano’s disgraceful acts of “PLAGIARISM.”
Sano, Please, Please Back Away from the Tokyo Olympics Logo ASAP!
Wow David this quite interesting to me, do you know what context the work this graphic designer presented the work in? Do you know who actually did the illustration, could be different people… From the little pics here it seems to me these are comps but I could be wrong…
I ask because in my own career ” concept design ” we quite often comp things together from found sources. Depends on the time constraints etc…Generally you don’t ever just use something straight you make it your own to sell the idea and also that work is generally never for public consumption, its only used in-house to sell the design, in this case the graphics.
I am assuming your photo’s of the buildings are just there for environment but again I don’t even now who this designer is much less his intent…
Final ” Key ” art is produced for public and shouldn’t include others work unless it’s as a member of the team and or purchased through a service…
It seems you are suffering from success here my friend, your photos are so nice 😛
Really curious to see how this plays out.
Just FYI for both Davids, the stolen photo was part of Sano’s official presentation and was offered as a use case. Just about 1 hour ago, Sano’s emblem was officially retracted by Japan’s Olympic committee and he was fired, not because of the unresolved trademark problems surrounding the emblem itself, but because he stole from this blog and 2 other photo blogs.
Japan is rich in art and design. This Sano’s disgraceful plagiat should be thrown into the garbage can. There are more than enough gifted designers who will provide marvelous emblems the Japanese people can be proud of.
My designer friends in Tokyo are all upset about his excuse and poor works, but I feel like this is a positive step forward to wipe out the copycats from Japan’s marketing and industrial design.
Creators have to fight with his/her own skills and insights, with a lot of historical knowledges!