The Tokyo-based company, which employs 80,000 people worldwide, will act in the "Building Components & Bathroom and Kitchen Fixtures" category.

Their precise responsibilities have not yet been made clear, but they can be expected to play a key role in completing venues, including those at the Athletes' Village. 

“With its extensive range of water, housing, building and kitchen technologies that contribute to the enrichment of living environments and lifestyles, it gives me great pleasure to welcome LIXIL Corporation as a Tokyo 2020 Gold Partner," said Tokyo 2020 President, Yoshirō Mori.

"We look forward to LIXIL providing living environments with enhanced comfort to the athletes, officials and all involved in the Tokyo 2020 Games and to people throughout Japan.”

The company become the 15th Gold Partner, and the 22nd in total, as Tokyo continues to increase their impressive portfolio of sponsors with almost five years still to go until the Games begin. 

Gold Partners, along with the less prestigious Official Partners and Official Supporters, are considered "core components" of Tokyo 2020’s Marketing Programme, who "will be indispensable partners both for the successful delivery of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and as partners of the Japanese national Olympic and Paralympic teams".

In return, they receive rights to use Olympic and Paralympic designations and imagery including emblems, mascots and slogans. 

Other gold partners confirmed include beer and soft drink company Asahi and major multi-national firms such as Canon, Fujitsu and NEC.

“We are very proud to reach an agreement with the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to become the first ever Tokyo 2020 Gold Partner in the Building Components & Bathroom and Kitchen Fixtures category," added LIXIL President and chief executive, Yoshiaki Fujimori.

"In line with our corporate philosophy of improving people’s comfort and lifestyles, LIXIL has long been a supporter of sports which promote a healthy and prosperous society.

"With our innovation, the technology portfolio we have built up and the spirit of creating products and services that make a real difference to people’s lives.

"LIXIL hopes to contribute to the success of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a comprehensive living and housing solutions company.” 

LIXIL did face problems earlier this year, when a China-based, German-listed subsidiary filed for insolvency and announced it was considering legal action against its former chairman and his son, the former deputy chairman.

It was thought this cost as much as ¥66.2 billion (£357 million/$533 million/€502 million) in one-time losses.

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