Japanese Paralympic Committee (JPC) President Mitsunori Torihara and representatives from business, sport and Government, including Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, expressed their full support for the athletes.

"We gather together as one to show our stalwart support for our Paralympians," said Torihara, who is also a Council member for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic bid team.

"I sincerely hope the Paralympics will help further promote sporting opportunities internationally for all people with disabilities.

"And of course, I look forward to seeing our Paralympians put on a strong showing as well.

"Additionally, performing well at the London Games will add further momentum to our Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic bid and help build excitement in Japan."

Swimmer Keiichi Kimura (pictured top, with flag and below), who will be the flag bearer for the Japanese Paralympic team in London, admitted the team are confident ahead of the Games.

"The last Paralympics in Beijing in 2008 were the first time I participated and I was still in high school, so it was all very new and over far too quickly," he said.

"This time, I'm focused on producing results and am very determined to bring home a medal or two."


The event also featured some of Japan's greatest ever Paralympians including wheelchair racer Wakako Tsuchida (pictured below), who won gold at the Athens 2004
Paralympics in the women's 5,000 metres, and wheelchair rugby player Hiroyuki Misaka who will be competing at his third consecutive games in London.

Tokyo 2020 bid chief executive Masato Mizuno was also on hand to support the team.

"I wish our Paralympians the very best of luck in achieving their Paralympic dreams," he said.

"One of our goals in bidding to host the 2020 Games is to help the nation of Japan and the Paralympic Games form a closer relationship and to create
 excitement around this dynamic event.

"Also, although Tokyo has already made great strides in improving accessibility, by organising Games of excellence and innovation, we want to continue to take advantage of the latest technologies to develop a 100 per cent barrier-free capital to welcome the world."


The JPC is working closely with the Tokyo 2020 team to ensure that the bid plan and venues will be convenient, accessible and comfortable for all athletes and spectators of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The London 2012 Paralympic Games take place from August 29 to September 9 with around 4,000 athletes set to participate.

Japan's Paralympic team will be looking to beat their medal tally from Beijing 2008 where they claimed five gold, 14 silver and eight bronze medals.

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