Tokyo, 5 April 2013 – The Tokyo 2020 team today welcomed one of Japan’s most beloved anime characters, Doraemon, a robotic cat from the 22nd century, to serve as the first special ambassador in support of Tokyo’s Bid to stage the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Doraemon character, which was appointed the nation’s first anime ambassador by Japan’s Foreign Ministry in 2008, embodies Japanese core values such as respect, friendship, which also are the Olympic Values. Beginning in 1969, the original Doraemon series totalled 1,344 episodes. Still a highly popular and well-recognised figure today, Doraemon was selected as the only anime character among Asia’s 22 heroes by Time Asia magazine on April 2002.

Masato Mizuno, Tokyo 2020 CEO and Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) Vice President, said: “The global popularity of Japanese anime as represented by Doraemon is a powerful reminder of Japan’s ability to inspire young people. It also adds further credibility to our promise to deliver a dynamic celebration that strengthens Olympic Values and encourages young people to pursue their dreams through sport. We are delighted to have our resourceful friend Doraemon on our Bid team.”

For further inquiries

Masa Takaya – Communications Manager, Japanese Olympic Committee Acting Communications Director, Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee
Phone: +81 3 6279 0049 Mobile: +81 80 1355 9110  Email: m-takaya@joc.or.jp

Hisao Shuto – Director of International Communications, Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee
Email: hisao.shuto@tokyo2020.jp