Tokyo 2020 Executive Board
The Tokyo 2020 executive board appointed seven female members following scrutiny about the board’s lack of diversity.
The 34-member board now includes judo champion Ayumi Tanimoto, Olympic gold medalist Yuko Arakida, photographer and film director Mika Ninagawa, Olympic gymnast Rie Tanaka, and Japanese Olympic chef de mission for Sochi 2014 Seiko Hashimoto.
IOC member Angela Ruggiero tells Around the Rings that "having women's voices at the table is critically important," especially at this early planning stage for the Tokyo 2020 executive board.
She addedthat"having female voices at the board level where a lot of the decision-making power rests" is a positive choice for Tokyo 2020.
"Anytime you have a board, it should properly reflect the body that you're representing.Having female athletes make up over 40 percent of the Summer Games now, in my opinion, you should have a board that properly reflects those athletes."
IOC executive board member, and chairperson of the Women and Sport Commission, Anita DeFrantz tells ATR,"Aboard without women is not going to be a very effective board."
DeFrantz says the newly appointed female members will bring strong Olympic and business experience to the Tokyo 2020 executive board. She adds, "[The board] can now better serve the communities that they're supposed to serve, the athletes, the Olympic movement, and of course the peopleof Tokyo.
"They'll do a great job."
Japan Strengthens Cyber Security
Japan faced a cyber attack across more than 30 government agencies on Tuesday in a drill aimed at strengthening national security ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Reuters says the country is following Britain’s lead, which invited "ethical hackers to test its computer systems" in the run up to the 2012 London Olympics.
Hacking expert Ikuo Misumi told Reuters that an estimated "50 cyber defense specialists gathered at an emergency response center in Tokyo with at least three times that many offsite" to defend against the simulated attack.
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said cyber attacks are becoming more "subtle, sophisticated, and international.
"Strengthening Japan's response to them has become a critical issue."
According to Reuters, the drill on Tuesday marked the first time that Japan has worked across government and business to counter the threat of hackers.
Tech entrepreneur William Saito says the test will help break down "silos that currently exist in Japan."
This month, IT minister Yamamoto convened the first meeting of cyber-security officials to form a unified approach to Japan's online security.
Written byNicole Bennett
For general comments or questions,click here.
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics isAroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.