Kraśnicki and Marzenna Koszewska, the director for the Olympics and international relations at the POC, were visiting the Japanese city after receiving a special invitation from Takasaki Mayor Kenji Tomioka.

They took part in the official Opening Ceremony of the multi-functional Takasaki Arena, where Kraśnicki handed out pieces by Polosh artist Bogdan Wrzeciono and a "basketball player" sculpture carved by Professor Piotr Siwczuk.

Among those in attendance at the Ceremony were members of the Japanese Parliament and Japan Association of Athletics Federations President Hiroshi Yokokawa.

The POC's cooperation with the City of Takasaki was set up at the end of 2015.

It coincided with a visit by Tomioka and Takasaki representatives to the POC's headquarters, where a presentation was delivered on the then under-construction Arena.

Polish Sport Federations visited Takasaki in May of last year to learn more about the venue and the possibilities it offers.

Located just 50 minutes away from Tokyo by high-speed rail, the Arena is able to stage a variety of sports including badminton, basketball, handball, judo, table tennis and volleyball.

One of its main goals is to provide athletes competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with proper acclimatisation and sport facilities before the Games.

While in Takasaki, Kraśnicki also met with Japan Handball Association President Yoshihide Watanabe.

Watanabe is an International Handball Federation Council member and first vice-president of the Asian Handball Federation.