Press Conference to Announce Launch of New Organization for Organizational Support and Volunteer Training for Tokyo Paralympics

The Nippon Foundation has established The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center as a new organization to promote the Paralympic Movement ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. A press conference to announce the launch was held today, as outlined below.

Many para-athletes in Japan have expressed concerns regarding organizational and administrative issues at competitive leagues, and called for a better environment in which to practice. This newly established Support Center will strengthen leagues’ organizational bases, promote awareness of the Paralympics, and train volunteers for the event.
At the press conference, Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation and Special Advisor to the new organization, noted, “The Nippon Foundation aims to create an inclusive society in which everyone can participate, and toward that end we will give our full support for a successful Paralympics.” Former prime minister Yoshiro Mori, President of The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Supreme Advisor to The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center, pointed out, “The 2020 Olympics and Paralympics are the first time the two events are being organized by a single, integrated organizing committee, and the International Olympic Committee has praised this move.” In addition, Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe, Special Advisor to the Support Center, indicated, “The success of the London Paralympics made the entire event a success, and we need to do the same in Tokyo.