Tokyo - Poster for the 1940 Summer Olympics

This image depicts the official poster, for the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were scheduled to be held in Tokyo.  Japan canceled the Games, according to contemporary news accounts, because of its war with China:

Tokyo, July 14. - AP - For the second time in a generation war caused cancellation today of plans to hold the Olympic games in the capital of a warring empire.

The Japanese government, faced with the possibility of two more years of conflict in China and shortage of funds and materials, has abandoned its support of plans to hold the 1940 games in Tokyo.

The World war wrecked plans to hold the 1916 Olympics in Berlin, capital of a Germany at war with most of the major powers.

Japan, although at war only with China, has faced a steadily rising tide of criticism and threats of athletic and economic boycotts.

The Japanese army's opposition to the games as an influence for internationalism, considered hostile to the orthodox military creed of Japan, also was a powerful factor in the decision to give up the Olympics.

EXPOSITION ALSO CANCELLED

At the same time the government announced cancellation of the International exposition of 1940, planned for more than a decade to celebrate what orthodox Japanese consider the 2,500 anniversary of the foundation of the empire by Jimmu Tenno in 660 B.C. ... (Relman Morin, The Independent - St. Petersburg, Florida - July 14, 1938, page six.)

After the 1940 Tokyo games were canceled, the International Olympics Committee gave Helsinki the honor.  Those games were canceled, as well, due to the outbreak of World War II.