Tokyo passes tough anti-smoking law ahead of 2020 Olympics

Images, using projection-mapping technology, are beamed on a building of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office during a countdown event to mark three years until the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan July 24, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai - RC1B71A9A420

TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo, Japan's capital and host of the 2020 Summer Olympics, passed a tough anti-smoking law on Wednesday that will effectively ban smoking in most of the city's bars and restaurants in the run-up to the games.

Japan lags many countries in efforts to fight smoking, with attempts to tackle tobacco often stymied by pro-smoking politicians, restaurateurs and Japan Tobacco, which is one-third owned by the government.