6. Ensuring the success of the Rugby World Cup and the Tokyo 2020 Games

The historic stage of the Rugby World Cup 2019

The FIFA World Cup in Russia will begin on the day after tomorrow -- another global sports event following the PyeongChang Winter Games. I look forward to seeing Team Japan putting up a good fight against the world’s strongest teams.
Following soccer will finally be rugby. At the event celebrating 500 days to go to Rugby World Cup 2019 held during last month’s holidays, a day counter counting down the days to the event was displayed, making me again very well aware of the steady approach of the event. The official team camps have been selected and are just awaiting the final formalizing paperwork, and with the national team playing three test matches this month, the players also getting geared up for this historic Rugby World Cup to be held for the first time in Asia. We will also work closely with the other 11 host cities in Japan and make the event a success.

Pushing forward preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Games with the citizens of Tokyo and all of Japan

Going on, with regard to the Tokyo 2020 Games, last month at the IOC Executive Board meeting, the seven soccer venues for the Olympics were decided, finalizing all the competition venues. By combining strengths with the Organising Committee, the national government, and local governments where the venues are located, including those in the Tohoku area hit by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, we will definitely make this all-Japan event a success.

To secure safety and security, which is the prerequisite for this success, in March we formulated the guidelines on measures to address incidents that threaten the operation of the Games. From the four perspectives of measures to uphold public safety and cybersecurity and measures against disasters and infectious diseases, we will newly work to improve and strengthen initiatives, and will continue testing and reviewing them. With regard to cybersecurity, in April we consolidated related divisions at the Metropolitan Police Department to strengthen response capabilities. While also deepening collaboration with the private sector, we will use all our resources to precisely deal with threats, even those that cannot be seen.

Yesterday, along with the Organising Committee, we announced the guidelines for Games Volunteers and City Volunteers. This summer, in combination with implementing Flex Time Biz over a longer period of time than before and working to popularize telework, we will call for cooperation from companies in curbing transportation demand. Together as one with the people of Tokyo and the rest of Japan, we will advance preparations to deliver a Games that will receive the world’s praise.

For a Olympic and Paralympic Games that will show the world Japan’s recovery from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, as a new initiative we will hold a tour of the Tohoku area in September for overseas media to send out stronger messages to the world about the current situation of the disaster-stricken areas.  We wish to raise even more interest in the Tohoku area in the run up to the Games to further support the recovery of the area.

Heightening a sense of unity for the Games

It will soon again be July 24, the same day as the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. To have the period of the Games firmly engraved in the minds of the people of Tokyo and the rest of Japan, and to also enhance health and participation in sports, from this day to September 6, we will again this year hold the radio calisthenics project. Along with the medal project, in which we were able to break the 100,000 mark the other day in the collection of small electronic devices at the TMG building, we will continue to work to bring the Games closer to everyone.

The Olympic torch relay is also an important event that will leave the people around Japan with a powerful impression of the Games. The concept for the torch relay was determined in April, and it was decided to have the torch pass through Tokyo for 15 days. We will advance studies with the municipalities and relevant organizations for the selection of a route that will further heighten the sense of unity for the Games.

More focus needs to be directed to the Paralympic Games to ensure the success of Tokyo 2020. To this end, during the Golden Week holidays, we held the No Limits Special event in front of Tokyo station. This event, where participants could experience all 22 Paralympic sports, was very successful. We will continue to build up enthusiasm for the Paralympics through initiatives including a video targeting young people which conveys the appeal of cheering on parasports up close, and in this way make the Paralympics one where the athletes and the packed stadium of spectators are united to give rise to the best performances.