Introducing daylight saving time by 2020 would be 'difficult,' says former Olympics minister Toshiaki Endo

Japan's former Olympics minister said Thursday it would be difficult to introduce daylight saving time ahead of the 2020 Games in Tokyo, a move that has been discussed as a way to mitigate the nation's scorching heat during the sporting event. "A part of me still wants to do this, but the reality is it's a difficult timeline -- especially when you think about issues around computer systems," said Toshiaki Endo, former minister and senior Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker, to reporters after the party's first meeting on the measure at its headquarters in Tokyo. Endo also currently serves as a vice president of the Tokyo Organising Committee for the games. The ruling party's lawmakers gathered for a study session on the possibility of introducing daylight savings time after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave instructions last month to examine its pros and cons. Fast-forwarding the clock has been seen by some as a way for Japan to combat its sultry midsummer weather.