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Symposium Held for the 2020 Games Let's get the regions excited too!
On November 28, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly held a symposium titled "Let's Get All of Japan Excited for 2020" at TKP Garden City Shinagawa in Minato Ward, Tokyo. Aimed at local government officials and assembly members nationwide, the event emphasized the need for an all-Japan effort to build excitement for the Games, extending beyond Tokyo to regional areas.
Governor Yuriko Koike opened the event stating, "There are just over 1,300 days left until the Tokyo Games. To build excitement nationwide and grow together, cooperation from local regions is essential. The 1964 Tokyo Games spurred significant societal development, including infrastructure improvements. 2020 presents an excellent opportunity to showcase not only Tokyo but also the many 'treasures' of our regions to the world. Hosting the Paralympics will also provide an opportunity to consider community development in response to an aging population. I hope this symposium will assist related administrative efforts in the regions."
Following this, case studies from the "Tokyo 2020 Participation Program" were presented. This program certifies actions by various organizations and groups aimed at participation, building momentum, and creating legacies for the Tokyo Games. After its launch, approximately 2,300 applications were received nationwide. Saitama Prefecture introduced dance performances by people with and without disabilities, traditional performing arts events, and group plays by senior citizens. Fukushima Prefecture presented festival events aimed at reviving folk performing arts following the disaster.
In the cultural and artistic performances, the men's cheerleading team "Waseda University Shockers" performed an energetic cheer routine set to upbeat music. Mr. Koichi Omae, the "prosthetic leg dancer" who also performed at the Rio Paralympic Closing Ceremony, danced a fantastical routine, drawing loud applause from the audience.
The event concluded with a panel discussion titled "Ideas for Generating Enthusiasm and Creating Legacies Across Japan." Moderated by Professor Munehiko Harada of Waseda University, panelists included Rio Olympic swimming bronze medalist Natsumi Hoshi, Rio Paralympic judo silver medalist Makoto Hirose, Professor Emeritus Masayoshi Aoyagi of the University of Tokyo, Kumi Imamura, Representative Director of NPO Katariba; Yoshiharu Abe, Mayor of Imabetsu Town, Aomori Prefecture; and Kenichiro Tada, Director-General of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Office, Cabinet Secretariat. The discussion proceeded with the underlying expectation of leveraging the 2020 Games to solve various challenges faced by regional areas. Active debate ensued from each participant's perspective, covering topics such as "enhancing young people's self-esteem through volunteer participation," "the potential for economic exchange beyond international exchange," "the secrets to attracting pre-Games training camps," and "reevaluating local culture and actively disseminating information."
At the venue, products from Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, and Kumamoto, as well as 2020 official merchandise, were sold.
Related article:Organizing Committee Announces Tokyo 2020 Games "Official Marks" and "Support Marks"[October 12, 2016]
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