Tokyo 2020 have attributed the international education company, who offer foreign study, language learning and academic programmes, the category of “Language Training Services” as part of their Sponsorship Programme.

The company offer a Japanese course from their International Language Center in Tokyo, while there are also centres in countries including Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States.

“We are honoured to help Japan prepare for a successful Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Junnosuke Nakamura, President of Education First Japan.

“I would like to echo the sentiments recently expressed by EF's co-Chairman Philip Hult, who said, 'With the Rio 2016 Games just a few weeks away, EF's passion for the Games burns bright’.

“Our mission of 'opening the world through education' is closely aligned with the Olympic values and we are delighted to support Tokyo 2020.”

The agreement builds on Education First' long association with the Olympic Games, which stretches back to Seoul 1988. 

It was the official language supplier to Beijing 2008 and Sochi 2014.

It has also helped to train more than one million Brazilians in a second language as part of its sponsorship of Rio 2016. 

Education First Japan have become the 39th domestic sponsor of Tokyo 2020, which will allow them the rights to use Olympic and Paralympic designations and imagery including emblems, mascots and slogans.

The highest tier of domestic sponsors are Gold Partners, which so far includes the companies Canon, Asahi, NEC and Fujitsu.

A third tier of Official Supporters is also in operation.

“Providing omotenashi [Japanese-style hospitality] to the large numbers of athletes and sports fans from around the world who will be visiting Japan in 2020 is one of the most important tasks of the staff and volunteers who will support the Tokyo 2020 Games,” Yoshirō Mori, Tokyo 2020 President, said. 

“EF has a wealth of experience and a proven track record in providing language services at previous editions of the Olympic Games, and I am confident that we could not have a better partner to support our language training efforts for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

“I very much hope that with this support, the Tokyo 2020 Games will serve as an opportunity to enhance English language abilities across the whole of Japan.”

At a press conference in Sochi 2014, Mori had refused to speak English because he claimed it was the "language of the enemy".