PORTRAITS OF JAPANThe relay started in Fukushima
Prefecture. Along the route, local
residents, who had taken precautionary
measures against infection, applauded
instead of cheering. HASHIMOTO
Seiko, president of the organizationcommittee, said at the ceremony, “Wepray that the flame that embarks today
will send out a ray of light into thedarkness, reaching the national
stadium as a big light filled with thehopes not just of Japan, but of
everyone the world over.”TOKYO 2020

A BEACONOF HOPE
With thorough COVID measures in place, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic
Torch Relay kicked off on March 25.
With the whole world
watching, the Tokyo 2020
Olympic Torch Relay waslaunched on March 25. Startingfrom the three prefectures in theTohoku region that are rebuilding
a decade since the catastrophic
Great East Japan Earthquake ofMarch 11, 2011, the torch relay
passes by some of Japan’s mostspectacular sights over a 121day period, until it reaches its
final destination at Tokyo’s Japan
National Stadium in July.
Conceived by one of the top
Japanese designers, YOSHIOKA
Tokujin, and forged by thehands of five technologically
gifted companies, the beautiful
and resilient torch has been
shaped to resemble the crest of
the traditional Japanese cherry
blossom. Its body is partly
made from recycled aluminumoriginally used to build temporary
housing in the aftermath of theGreat East Japan Earthquake. It
encapsulates a sincere desire to see
the region rebuild and epitomizes
a hope for peace.
In charge of manufacturing thetorch’s body was UACJ Extrusion

Corporation, a world leader inaluminum processing technology.
The company was able to takeadvantage of an aluminum
extrusion technique used in themanufacture of Japan’s bullet train
to overcome the difficulties ofmolding the metal into a delicate
cherry-blossom shape. At just 1.2
kg, the result was a lightweight,
seamless, and incredibly gracefulform.
Meanwhile, Shinfuji BurnerCo., Ltd. was in charge of theA beautiful cherry-blossom shape appears when
the torch is viewed from directly above.

combustion mechanism. Given
the significant climatic variation
across the Japanese archipelago
from north to south, and withthe relay lasting for so long—almost four months—keeping
the flame alight is no mean feat.
That said, after repeated tests on
the color of the flame and seeing
how well it burns in wind andrain, the company managed toproduce a flame strong enoughto withstand wind speeds of up
to 17 m/s (61 km/h) and rainfall
of up to 50 mm/h, and which canalso maintain its height despite
fluctuations in temperature.
In addition to adhering to
COVID-19 guidelines, organizersof the event have developed
thorough measures to keep
everyone involved—torchbearers,spectators, staff, and the generalpublic—safe against infection
during the torch relay. People areasked to take every precaution,
including avoiding the “Three Cs”
of closed spaces, crowded places,
and close-contact settings, as well
as sanitizing properly and looking

after their health. The torch
relay will also be live streamed sothat people can enjoy the eventfrom afar. Moreover, organizers
have been given the flexibility toalter schedules according to theprevailing COVID-19 infection
situation in regions along the relay
route.
All these determined efforts
have been made to bring the world
together as one through sports. As
a symbol of hope, the torch lights
our way toward the Tokyo 2020
Games. THE FLAME OF RECOVERYThe Olympic “Sakura Gold” (left) and Paralympic“Sakura Pink” torches. The Paralympic torch relay
will be held over 13 days, from August 12 to 24.

In March 2020, after the kindling of the Olympic flame in Greece, the beacon of hope made its way to Miyagi, Iwate, and Fukushima
prefectures, the areas hardest hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011. Dubbed the Flame of Recovery, the Olympic flame
made its journey around the region, shining its light as a symbol of hope to the people who have worked so hard to rebuild their local
communities. This year as well, the journey started again from Fukushima Prefecture—this time as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch
Relay—to deliver hope to everywhere in the world.
For Japan, the Tokyo 2020 Games is an event of huge importance, having been nicknamed the Recovery and Reconstruction Games. It
will serve as a chance for the country to show its gratitude to those around the world who gave tremendous support following the 2011
earthquake and tsunami. At the heart of the Games is a strong determination to make great strides forward, and to show the people ofthe world the success of the efforts taken to rebuild the areas devastated by disaster.

Left: The Olympic flame on display in the Ishinomaki Minamihama Tsunami Recovery Memorial Park in Miyagi Prefecture gives hope to the local people in theirrebuilding efforts. Center: Transporting the flame along the coastline of Iwate Prefecture is the Sanriku Railway, a lifeline for local residents now completely restored
after eight years. Right: The Aquamarine Park in Fukushima Prefecture lost over 90% of its fish and animals in the tsunami. “We hope the Flame of Recovery will
arrive safely at the Olympic Cauldron,” say local residents.
©Tokyo 2020 (left and center photos)©Tokyo 202017