Panasonic head Kazuhiro Tsuga has been appointed one of two new vice-presidents by Tokyo 2020 ©AFP/Getty Images

Panasonic boss Kazuhiro Tsuga has been appointed as one of two new vice-presidents by Tokyo 2020 along with politician Tsutomu Tomioka, the State Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Tsuga became President of Panasonic Corporation - a member of The Olympic Programme (TOP) sponsorship scheme - in 2012 after serving on the Board since the previous year.

The Osaka University and University of California graduate had been widely expected to assume the vice-presidential position before today's confirmation.

This followed the resignation of Toyota counterpart Akio Toyoda last month, who reportedly stepped-down in order to prioritise generating business interest in the Japanese Games.

“I am delighted and deeply honoured to be appointed as vice-president of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, and to join a team which brings together the best of Japan," said Tsuga.

"Leveraging the knowledge and experience I have accumulated throughout my career, I am looking forward to contributing first-hand to the delivery and celebrating the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games."

Tomioka, meanwhile, serves in the House of Representatives as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.

Politician Tsutomu Tomioka has also been appointed a new Tokyo 2020 vice-president ©Getty Images
Politician Tsutomu Tomioka has also been appointed as a new Tokyo 2020 vice-president ©Getty Images

He is also State Minister of the Cabinet Office in charge of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A doctor by trade, the 67-year-old also sits on both the Foundation Board and the Executive Committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

“It is indeed a great honour to be appointed as vice-president of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games," he said.

"At the same time, however, I am also acutely aware of the great responsibility that the position brings with it.

"I am determined to exert my utmost efforts to forging even closer relations between the Organising Committee, the National Government and all related parties, and to ensuring flawless preparations towards the successful delivery of the Tokyo 2020 Games.”

The duo join Tokyo 2020's four other vice-presidents serving under bid leader Yoshiro Mori.

These include International Olympic Committee member and Japanese Olympic Committee chief Tsunekazu Takeda as well as Japan Anti-Doping Agency Board member Ichiro Kono, Japanese Paralympic Committee President Yasushi Yamawaki and Tokyo vice-governor Toshiyuki Akiyama.