All prefectures participating in government initiative to foster international exchanges
Tokyo, 27 November 2018 – A growing number of cities all over Japan are choosing to participate in a national government initiative that offers them the opportunity to become host towns in the run up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Already 341 municipalities from all 47 Japanese prefectures have registered as host towns, supporting the vision that the Tokyo 2020 Games should impact and benefit the whole country. They will invite Olympic and Paralympic teams from all over the world, giving their residents the opportunity to interact with their overseas guests at a variety of sporting, cultural and hospitality events. Many towns also host pre-Games training camps.
Various individual Olympic and Paralympic teams, National Olympic and Paralympic Committees and city authorities from more than 100 countries/regions have already registered under the programme, with participating bodies permitted to partner with more than one host town. It is hoped that the municipalities of the host towns will foster ongoing human, economic and cultural exchanges with the countries whose athletes and officials they will be welcoming, creating lasting connections.
Tokyo, 27 November 2018 – A growing number of cities all over Japan are choosing to participate in a national government initiative that offers them the opportunity to become host towns in the run up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Already 341 municipalities from all 47 Japanese prefectures have registered as host towns, supporting the vision that the Tokyo 2020 Games should impact and benefit the whole country. They will invite Olympic and Paralympic teams from all over the world, giving their residents the opportunity to interact with their overseas guests at a variety of sporting, cultural and hospitality events. Many towns also host pre-Games training camps.
Various individual Olympic and Paralympic teams, National Olympic and Paralympic Committees and city authorities from more than 100 countries/regions have already registered under the programme, with participating bodies permitted to partner with more than one host town. It is hoped that the municipalities of the host towns will foster ongoing human, economic and cultural exchanges with the countries whose athletes and officials they will be welcoming, creating lasting connections.
Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture, for example, hosted a training camp of the Bulgarian rhythmic gymnastics team last year. During the breaks, athletes experienced traditional culture (summer kimonos, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, etc.), and enjoyed Japanese dishes and cherry-picking. They also paid visits to elementary/junior high schools to interact with children. A public performance was held twice.
The national government’s Secretariat of the Headquarters for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games has also initiated the programme “Arigato” Host Town For Supporting Reconstruction in the prefectures of Fukushima, Iwate and Miyagi, which were most affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The local governments of these prefectures will be given the opportunity to showcase their recovery to the countries they are hosting, and exchanges are planned with the rescue teams and volunteers who came to Japan to provide support in the aftermath of the disaster. Nineteen countries/regions have already partnered with Arigato host towns.
With the Association of National Olympic Committees holding its General Assembly in Tokyo from tomorrow, attracting more than 1,000 delegates from all 206 NOCs, the Secretariat of the Headquarters for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games expects to further boost the Host Towns initiative. Booths promoting the registered municipalities will be set up in the General Assembly venue to provide information to the delegates.
The national government’s Secretariat of the Headquarters for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games has also initiated the programme “Arigato” Host Town For Supporting Reconstruction in the prefectures of Fukushima, Iwate and Miyagi, which were most affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The local governments of these prefectures will be given the opportunity to showcase their recovery to the countries they are hosting, and exchanges are planned with the rescue teams and volunteers who came to Japan to provide support in the aftermath of the disaster. Nineteen countries/regions have already partnered with Arigato host towns.
With the Association of National Olympic Committees holding its General Assembly in Tokyo from tomorrow, attracting more than 1,000 delegates from all 206 NOCs, the Secretariat of the Headquarters for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games expects to further boost the Host Towns initiative. Booths promoting the registered municipalities will be set up in the General Assembly venue to provide information to the delegates.
By Editor
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