Mizuho and Sumitomo Mitsui Coexisting as two lines, they are Gold Partners for Tokyo 2020.

Mizuho Financial Group (hereinafter Mizuho) and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (hereinafter Sumitomo Mitsui) signed a Tokyo 2020 Sponsorship Agreement with the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on April 14, becoming Gold Partners. The contract category for both is "Banking."

While the sponsorship follows the principle of "one company per industry," an exception was made for this category through discussions between the Organizing Committee and the IOC (International Olympic Committee), allowing both banks to coexist.

This decision brings the total number of Gold Partners to 12 companies.

At a joint press conference held the same day at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo in Chuo Ward, Koichi Miyata, President of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, stated: "Our group aims to be a driving force in advancing solutions to Japan's various challenges. With determination and pride, we will become the engine that propels the next Japan forward and contribute to the success of the Games."

Mizuho Group CEO Yasuhiro Sato, highlighting the group's past involvement with the Games—including staffing support for the 1964 Tokyo Games and safekeeping the Olympic flag—said, "Beyond financial cooperation for facility construction and urban infrastructure development, we aim to mobilize the full capabilities of our group to support the development and nurturing of industries involved in tourism and the promotion of Japanese culture."

Organizing Committee Chairman Yoshiro Mori remarked, "The partnership between these two banks is the ultimate realization of the 'All Japan' philosophy. I expect that through both banks, the Olympic movement will gain significant momentum and enthusiasm for the Games will spread nationwide."

Regarding the dual-bank arrangement, both parties stated, "If there are partners who share the same vision and can contribute together, there is no hesitation whatsoever," and "We wish to jointly fulfill the mission of financial institutions: supporting our customers and Japan's growth as we head toward the Games."

Mizuho News Release: http://www.mizuho-fg.co.jp/release/pdf/20150414release_jp.pdf

Mitsui Sumitomo News Release: http://www.smbc.co.jp/news/j601027_01.html