The group, chaired by Hisashi Hieda, chairman and chief executive of Fuji Media Holdings Group and consequently one of the most influential figures in the Japanese press, consists of 36 representatives.

Among other topics, they discussed the Games vision with Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori and Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshiro Muto.

Among other notable participants is vice-chairman Satoshi Ishikawa, the adviser and former chief executive of Kyodo News Agency, Japan's national press agency, as well as Lucy Birmingham, President of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan.

The Commission is seen predominantly as a way to communicate the progress being made by the Organising Committee to members of the media, with some claiming it could threaten media impartiality.

Avoiding this was something alluded to by Birmingham, a vastly experienced Tokyo-based journalist who has written for a large number of US publications, when reacting to her inclusion in the group.

"I feel it's a great honour to be appointed as a Media Commission member, but it is also a great responsibility," she said.

"As a journalist and representative of the foreign media in Japan it's important that I report on the preparations and proceedings with impartiality."

Lucy Birmingham sees the Media Commission as a key role and honour to be part of ©Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan





The meeting comes at an interesting time for Tokyo 2020 shortly after commemorations, on September 7, marking one year since the Japanese capital was awarded the Games during the International Olympic Committee Session in Buenos Aires.

Last week, a Tokyo 2020 Executive Board meeting also took place in the city, where, in addition to the Media Commission, it was also announced that a 21-strong Athletes' Commission had also been formed.

This group is led by Daichi Suzuki, Olympic gold medallist in the 100 metres backstroke at Seoul 1988 and current President of the Japan Swimming Federation, and seeks to represent prominent figures spanning a large variety of different sports.