The creation of the position is aimed to ensure smooth preparations for the Games, with the soon to be appointed official set to communicate with various Government agencies, in order to keep plans on track.

Having already been accepted by the lower chamber of the Diet, the House of Representatives, last month, the majority vote by the House of Councillors officially confirms the creation of the Ministerial post, which also existed the last occasion the Japanese capital hosted the Summer Olympics, in 1964. 

Mori praised the decision of the Government in creating the post, which he believes will ensure all stakeholders in the Games will work together to host a successful Olympics in 2020.

"Today, a special measures bill for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games was approved and enacted,” said Mori, who recently gave up his role as the head of Japan Rugby Union to concentrate on the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“To ensure the success of the 2020 Games, it is of vital importance that the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and the national government are completely united in their efforts towards our preparations for the Games, and I had been eagerly anticipating the passing of this bill.

“We look forward to the national government providing us with its active support, including the appointment of a dedicated Minister of State, the establishment of a headquarters for the promotion of the Games and the dispatch of Government personnel to the Organising Committee."

Mori added:  “Along with welcoming the enactment of the new law, we will work towards further deepening our relationship with the Government, and with the involvement of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and other related organisations, our ‘All-Japan’ team will exert the utmost efforts towards preparing for the successful delivery of the Tokyo 2020 Games.”

The official appointed to the post, which is likely to be filled next month, will help with preparatory work required for the Games including security measures, such as counter-terrorism planning, in addition to upgrading the public transport system to cope with the influx of visitors.

Toshiaki Endo, a member of the House of Representatives and an Executive Board member at Tokyo 2020, is believed to be the favourite to take up the role.

Prior to the position being created Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Hakubun Shimomura, had been delegated the task of overseeing preparations for the Games on the Government’s behalf.

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