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On February 14, 2020, the Prime Minister held the 14th meeting of the Headquarters for the Promotion of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
At the meeting, there was a report on recent initiatives toward the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
Based on the reports at the meeting, the Prime Minister said
 
“There is only half a year left until the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Preparations are entering the final stage, as the National Stadium, which will be the symbol of the Games, was completed at the end of last year and other competition venues are being developed.
 
On March 26, the Olympic Torch Relay, running across the country, will start from J-Village in Fukushima. I absolutely would like to visit at that time, and strongly communicate to the world with the people in the disaster affected areas the current status of the areas recovering from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
 
The number of host towns are already reaching 500 among the municipalities across the country. The movement is being spread to every corner of the nation, as exchanges with countries and regions are being progressed and the Harmonious and Inclusive Society Host Towns initiative, which aims at a major step forward to an inclusive society, is also being spread.   
 
In addition to such efforts, it is indispensable for the success of the Games that the host country thoroughly ensures the safety and peace of mind of the public. Both the security and traffic and transportation management, which accommodate the transportation for the Games and economic activities as well as daily lives, are the foundation of the Games’ entire management. Furthermore, please advance preparations thoroughly in the areas such as heat counter measures and measures to counter infectious diseases, in close collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Organizing Committee and other relevant parties.
 
I ask every Cabinet member, in particular Minister Hashimoto, to exert every effort to prepare for the event so that Japan as a whole joins forces together and creates the greatest Games ever that moves people around the world.”