News Discussion

2020 Olympic Torch: ‘Something That Was Never Made Before’

On March 20, the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games unveiled details of the official Olympic torch that will be used in the event's ceremonial torch relays. Exactly one year from now the Olympic flame will arrive in Japan from Greece.

Japan's traditional flower, the sakura or cherry blossom, is the design's motif. The torch will be made from recycled aluminum from the temporary housing that was constructed in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, calling the world's attention to the physical and spiritual recovery of the affected areas.

When viewed from above, the shape of the torch resembles cherry blossom petals, and the color has been labeled “sakura-gold,” a blend of gold and pink. The torch is 71 centimeters in length and weighs 1.2 kilograms. Its flames when lit will soar up to 25 to 30 centimeters.

According to the organizing committee, aluminum extrusion technology employed in the manufacture of bullet trains was used to create the torch, allowing it to be assembled in one piece without any seams. The torch design incorporates three different combustion methods to minimize the effect of rain or wind and keep the flame lit continuously, even in bad weather.

Tokujin Yoshioka, who designed the torch, explained at the news conference: “I wanted to create something that was never made before. The torch is designed so that it will shine with the sun's reflection. I hope it will light the way to our aspirations.”

The torch relay will kick off on March 26, 2020, as the 121-day journey around the entire country starts from “J-Village,” a national soccer center in Fukushima Prefecture. Around 80 to 90 people are scheduled to participate in the relay each day, which will require over 10,000 torches to be prepared, as each person will hold their own torch.