"Nippon Life: Everyone's 2020 National Caravan" Departure Ceremony at Sky Tree Town
Nippon Life Insurance, a Gold Partner of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, held a departure ceremony for the "Nippon Life Everyone's 2020 National Caravan" (co-hosted by the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee) at Tokyo Skytree Town in Sumida Ward on July 24, two years before the Olympic opening.
On the same day, the Organizing Committee and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government also held various events at the same location.
Related article: Countdown Events Held Two Years Before Tokyo Olympics Opening[July 27, 2018]
This caravan will tour all 47 prefectures over approximately two years, from July 2018 to March 2020, to spread the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic movement nationwide. It will feature participatory programs for visitors, such as sports experiences and athlete talk shows. The first event is scheduled for September in Shiga Prefecture.
A departure ceremony was held at Solamachi Plaza ahead of the tour's start.
At the start, Chairman Yoshinobu Tsutsui explained the purpose of the caravan, introducing attractions like a real-time racing experience against track and field athlete Yoshihide Kiryu (affiliated with the company) on a monitor, and a wheelchair basketball experience corner. "This content will allow people nationwide to feel the amazing skills of athletes, the excitement of sports, and the 2020 Games more closely," he stated in his address. The caravan is also an event to express our gratitude to customers who have long supported our business."
Toshiaki Endo, Acting President of the Organizing Committee, expressed his gratitude: "As preparations for the Games steadily progress, it is crucial that excitement builds not only in Tokyo but throughout Japan. We are truly grateful that this caravan will play a key role in achieving that."
On stage, Chairman Tsutsui, Acting Chairman Endo, former rhythmic gymnastics team Japan representative Airi Hatakeyama, karate athlete Ryo Kiyuna, and wheelchair basketball player Chika Uemura participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the caravan's start.
Kiyuna stated, "Karate is gaining attention as a new Olympic sport. I want to use this caravan as an opportunity to further spread karate." Uemura added, "The environment for para sports has been changing for the better in recent years. I would be delighted if this caravan becomes a catalyst for realizing an inclusive society."
For the content introduction, talent Nana Suzuki appeared, energizing the stage with her high spirits.
When Kiyuna demonstrated a karate "kata," the audience gasped in admiration at his sharp, precise performance. Suzuki, Hatakeyama, and Uemura then challenged themselves to perform a kata under Kiyuna's guidance.
Suzuki remarked, "It's incredibly difficult, but it feels great to put my heart into it." Kiyuna then joked, "You're all doing very well. I'm worried you might surpass me in two years," drawing laughter.
Suzuki tried the "Super Kiryu Yoshihide Experience: Run" interactive exhibit set up at the venue, while Hatakeyama enjoyed "Challenge & Fun: Wheelchair Basketball," taking lessons from Uemura.
Official website:
http://special.nissay-mirai.jp/tokyo2020/caravan/
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