Society

Olympic torch reaches central Tokyo

Jul 23 (NHK) - The Olympic flame has reached the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building after a 4-month journey across Japan.

The torch relay started from the northeastern prefecture of Fukushima on March 25. After traveling across Japan, the Olympic flame entered Tokyo, the host city of the Olympics and Paralympics, on July 9.

However, the torch relay was canceled along public roads in most parts of Tokyo, except for some islands, due to the spread of the coronavirus.

On Friday, a lighting ceremony took place at the premises of the Tokyo government. Torchbearers who were originally scheduled to carry the flame in the central Tokyo ward of Shinjuku took part. No spectators were allowed as a precaution against the virus.

The torchbearers posed for photos while passing on the flame.

After the ceremony, the Olympic flame will be transported to the National Stadium. It will be lit in the cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games, which begins at 8 p.m. on Friday.

Source: Kyodo

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