Koike invites university students to volunteer for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike this week called for students to participate as “City Volunteers,” those who assist with tourism and transportation information, at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

At a special lecture at Kokugakuin University in Shibuya on Wednesday, Koike made her recruiting appeal by stating, “I would like everyone here to consider becoming a ‘City Volunteer’ [for the Tokyo 2020 Games]. I strongly believe that your participation will create a lasting legacy for everyone.” 

Koike’s appeal further highlighted the difficulty the city has faced recruiting volunteers to help foreign tourists and spectators at various venues, including train stations near the Olympic stadium. The number of applicants has failed to reach 200,000 participants needed to help the Japanese capital smoothly host its second Summer Olympic Games. 

Tokyo officials have extended the application deadline for city volunteers from Dec 5 to Dec 21. 

The Games Volunteer program hasn’t had any difficulties, with 81,035 applications received, surpassing the recruitment target of 80,000. Of those, 40% are non-Japanese.

© Japan Today