Consul-General Ito Participates in the Media Conference for the Toronto Marathon

On Oct. 18, Consul-General of Japan Takako Ito took part in the media conference ahead of the 30th Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. This race would serve to select the Canadian representatives in the marathon at the Olympic Games taking place in Japan next summer. The fastest Canadian male runner and Canadian female runner, if they clear the entry standanrs, would secure spots to run in the 2020 Games. Consul-General Ito stated that the Tokyo 2020 Games will also announce to the world Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. She also spoke on the Olympic torch, which will travel from Greece to Japan in March next year, and will begin its relay as the “Flame of Recovery” across Japan from Fukushima, an area severly affected by the earthquake. She also explained the thoughts and hopes behind the Olympic mascot Miraitowa and the Paralympic mascot Someity, as well as the meaning behind the checkered emblem of the Tokyo Games. The media conference was broadcast on news speciality stations in the Greater Toronto Area.