Tokyo 2020The Torch

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay concept

The Olympic Torch Relay for Tokyo 2020 began with the kindling of the Olympic flame by the rays of the sun in Olympia, Greece, on 12 March 2020, before it was transported by a special “Tokyo 2020 Go” jet to Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

The schedule and dates in the footage are based on the original schedule of the Olympic Torch Relay prior to its postponement. Following the postponement, the scheduled dates were one day earlier than those in the previous schedule (the days of the week matched the previous schedule).

The concept for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay across Japan will be "Hope Lights Our Way", uniting the Japanese people around messages about supporting, accepting and encouraging one another.

The Olympic flame is often associated with a message of peace and hope, as it is carried around the host nation, and as such has become one of the most powerful symbols of the Olympic Movement. In 2020, the Olympic flame did not only symbolise the sunrise of a new era spreading the hope that will light our way, but also served to spread the joy and passion of the Japanese around the Olympic Movement.

Upon its arrival in Japan, the Olympic flame was put on display at various locations in the Tohoku region, to help underscore this message of hope in the areas affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

A route that enables people all over Japan to see the Torch Relay

• The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay, which was held across all 47 prefectures of Japan, started its journey on 25 March 2021 from the J-Village National Training Center in Fukushima Prefecture. The Olympic flame served as a symbol of the Olympic Games and traversed the length and breadth of Japan for a period of 121 days.
• The Torch Relay covered some 98% of the population of Japan
  Along with the relays held in the various local municipalities, some 98% of the population of Japan was within an hour's journey by vehicle or train from the Torch Relay.

A Torch Relay designed to showcase Japan’s charming destinations

The Torch Relay was held in areas that pass by World Heritage Sites, famous locations, historic remains and sites that are the favourites of the local population ⁠— all locations that lend themselves to outstanding domestic and international promotional opportunities, as the charm of each destination is showcased during the 121-day Torch Relay journey.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay brand design

We are pleased to introduce the torch and emblem to be used for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay.

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Tokyo 2020 Torch Relay Official Ambassadors

In order to get people in Japan more excited about the Torch Relay, Olympian Tadahiro Nomura, Paralympian Aki Taguchi, actress Satomi Ishihara and comedic duo Sandwichman have been appointed as Official Ambassadors of the Tokyo 2020 Torch Relay.

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