While Barack Obama's victory in the US presidential election has been well received in most parts of the world, Japanese Olympic officials fear the "Obama factor" could hurt Tokyo's bid for the 2016 Games.
Senior Japanese officials have expressed concern that Obama's success could give his home city of Chicago a massive boost in the Olympic bidding process.
Japan's Olympic chief Tsunekazu Takeda wondered how IOC members would react if Mr. Obama appeared in a presentation for Chicago.
Madrid and Rio de Janeiro are also bidding for the 2016 Games, and the venue will be decided next October.
