The Olympic and Paralympic flags fluttered over Tokyo Citizens' Plaza.

On September 21, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Japanese Olympic Committee, and the Japanese Paralympic Committee held a flag-raising ceremony at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Plaza to display the Olympic and Paralympic flags passed on by Governor Yuriko Koike at the Rio Games.

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At the ceremony's opening, as the Olympic Anthem was sung, the Olympic Flag was carried onto the stage by Olympians, followed by the Paralympic Flag brought by Paralympians. Both flags were raised on poles set up on the stage. The national anthems were sung, and the national flags were raised in the center. The Tokyo Fire Department Band provided the music, and the Shinjuku High School Music Club provided the chorus.

Governor Koike stated, "I truly feel it's finally Tokyo's turn, and I am acutely aware of the immense responsibility. For the Games to succeed, it is vital that everyone feels these are their Games." As the first step, she announced a tour starting in October, primarily visiting Tokyo's wards, cities, towns, and villages, as well as areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and locations nationwide, carrying both flags. She called out, "Let's all come together—All Tokyo, All Japan—to make the Games a success!"

Olympic and Paralympic ambassadors will visit locations along the tour route.

The second part of the ceremony featured the kickoff event for the "Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Flag Tour." The five members of TOKIO, who were appointed as special ambassadors for the tour, entered while holding the tour flags.

The tour flag, produced with the approval of the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee, is made from silk fabric from Hachioji, a designated production area for the traditional craft Tama-ori. The original flag, handed over from Rio de Janeiro, will be on display at the 2nd floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 starting November 1st.

Yamaguchi Tatsuya, who watched the Rio Olympics on-site, expressed his excitement: "Rio was buzzing with energy during the Games. Thinking that excitement will come to Tokyo has me thrilled already." Kokubun Taichi stated, "Not just the athletes, but the enthusiasm of everyone in Japan will lead to the Games' success." Nagase Tomoya shared his determination: "As a band with an average age of 41, we may not be confident in sports, but we are confident in getting people pumped up, so we'll do our best."

The special Flag Tour website ( http://flagtour.jp ), launching September 29, will provide details on the tour schedule.