The office has been established to formulate a multi-faceted plan for the delivery of the Games, while giving further impetus to the TMG's sports administration capabilities, according to Tokyo 2020.

The move follows the resignation of Tokyo Governor Naoki Inose last month after he admitted he had received money from a scandal-hit hospital chain ahead of an election.

The news came as an early blow to Tokyo 2020, which was awarded the Games hosting rights in September last year, and sees vice-governor Toshiyuki Akiyama filling the void until the election of a new Governor on February 9.

Former Olympic speed skater Seiko Hashimoto is among the names being touted as a potential candidate for the position, along with retired Air Self-Defence Force chief Toshio Tamogami, Sports Minister Hakubun Shimomura - who is in charge of the Games - and Environment Minister Nobuteru Ishihara, who is the son of Inose's equally controversial predecessor as Governor Shintaro Ishihara.

Naoki Inose resigned last month over his involvement in a money scandal ©Getty Images


Tokyo 2020 and Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda welcomed the creation of the new Games bureau.

"I am delighted that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has set up the new bureau so promptly to ensure that the preparation process proceeds smoothly and seamlessly," the International Olympic Committee (IOC) member said.

"The Organising Committee, set to be launched by the end of February, will forge a close working relationship with the new bureau and together we will exert our utmost efforts to organise and deliver a truly memorable Games experience, and leave a legacy that will benefit future generations for many years to come."

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