It will be headed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who will serve as chairperson and Supreme Advisor.

The Advisory Meeting is made up of representatives from a broad cross-section of Japanese society, and will assist the Organising Committee in its efforts to stir the nation's passion and excitement towards 2020.

Notable members of the Meeting include Sidney 2000 Olympic marathon gold medallist Naoko Takahashi, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, a competitor in shooting at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, and double Paralympic Alpine skiing gold medallist Kuniko Obinata.

Other members include the Governors of the three prefectures most affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

The Advisory Meeting is made up of a chairperson, three Supreme Advisors, eight Special Advisors and a number of official Advisors of which 20 per cent are female.

The Advisory Meeting will be headed by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ©Getty Images



The appointments complete the key components of Tokyo 2020, with the Advisory Meeting scheduled to hold its first session this autumn, although no specific date has yet been given.

During the meeting in which the announcement was made, the Executive Board, which remains the highest decision-making body of Tokyo 2020, also welcomed its newest member Haruyuki Takahashi, chairman of Commons, bringing the total number of Executive Board members to 35.

In a further key announcement, Tokyo 2020 revealed it is establishing partnership arrangements with a number of universities and colleges across the country.

A total of 545 academic institutions have already expressed interest in being part of the partnership arrangements, which it is hoped will further promote Olympic education and build momentum in local communities.

As part of the initiative, university campuses will host a wide range of events and serve as sporting and Olympic educational hubs for the local communities.

An official signing ceremony for the partnership arrangements is set to take place on June 23 to coincide with celebrations to mark Olympic Day.

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