Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee Established Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori Appointed Chairman

The Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government established the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee on January 24. Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori (Honorary President of the Japan Sports Association) was appointed Representative Director (Chairman). Toshiro Muto (former Vice-Minister of Finance, current Chairman of Daiwa Institute of Research) was appointed Secretary General, overseeing the committee's secretariat. Yukihiko Nunomura (former Director-General of the Sports and Youth Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) was appointed Deputy Secretary General. Chairman Mori also played a key role in the bid campaign for the 2020 Games, serving as Chairman of the Bid Committee Council and Special Advisor to the Parliamentary League for the Tokyo Olympics Bid. In addition to Mori and Mutō, six other directors were selected, including JOC President Tsunekazu Takeda and Tokyo Vice Governor Toshiyuki Akiyama.

Scene from the coordination meeting held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

 

Following the establishment, a press conference was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Chairman Mori stated his resolve: "Considering the immense responsibility, I feel a sense of solemn determination. We will create an 'All Japan' system surpassing the bid campaign and dedicate ourselves as one united body." Secretary General Muto remarked, "The Secretariat will grow into an organization managing 3,000 staff and 80,000 volunteers. We will strive diligently toward hosting the Games without complacency over the six-year period." Moving forward, the Organizing Committee will collaborate with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the government to develop the hosting plan and advance preparations. Secretary General Muto will focus on coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies and securing funding.

From left: Secretary General Muto, Chairman Mori, Director Takeda