Japan Seeks Olympics Minister

(ATR) A majority vote in Japan’s upper chamber approved a bill creating a ministerial post for Tokyo 2020.

The vote passes the House of Councillors one month after passing through Japan’s House of Representatives.

The ministerial post will be in charge of affairs directly related to the Tokyo 2020 Games. The minister will aid with security measures, anti-terrorism planning, public transportation improvements and preparations for an influx of tourists.

President of Tokyo 2020 Yoshiro Mori says he had been eagerly anticipating this bill and it will allow necessary dialogue between the organizing committee and the government.

"It is of vital importance that the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee and the national government are completely united in their efforts towards our preparations for the Games," Mori said in a statement.

The government will not appoint someone to the position until June. Current favorite to win the job is Toshiaki Endo, the former minister for education, culture, sports, science and technology. Endo is also on the Tokyo 2020 executive board and is a member of Japan's House of Representatives.

Before the bill was enacted, the minister for education, culture, sports, science and technology was in charge of oversight of Olympic preparations. Hakuban Shimomura currently holds the position and will transfer the responsibilities once a candidate is chosen in June.

A similar post was created when Japan previously hosted the Olympics in 1964.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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