NTT to Start Recruiting Torchbearers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay on June 24

Overview of NTT's Recruitment for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torchbearers

Application period:

Mon. June 24 - Sat. August 31, 2019

Application requirements:

1. Applicants will be requested to submit an outline of their motivation for applying (max.220 words), based on the ideal torchbearer profile published by NTT.

   Ideal Torchbearer Profile: People Who Are "Rays of Hope" for Their Local Communities Examples

   • People connecting local times by shaping the future as they preserve traditional culture and the natural environment/scenery and bring up the next generation
   • People connecting people by playing active roles in companies, stores, sports teams, and other groups or organizations (clubs, NPOs, unions, fire brigades, etc.)
   • People connecting skills by transforming traditional techniques and customs with original ideas and technologies
2. Applicants must fulfill the Basic Recruitment Requirements for Torchbearers 2 determined by the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

How to Apply

There are two ways to apply: online or by post. Please apply using either method.

• Online
  Please use the application form available on the NTT Tokyo 2020 Olympic torchbearer recruitment site:
  https://2020.ntt/en/tokyo/torch/entry/
• By post
  Please use the application form available at the 2,400 docomo shops located throughout Japan.

Selection Method

Torchbearers will be chosen by NTT selection committees including local experts, based on applicant motivation and other information provided. Final decisions will then be made after the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games completes its selection process.
(NTT will start sending out preliminary notifications of torchbearer selection in December 2019, and the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games will send formal notifications at a later date.)

NTT Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay Theme

NTT Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay Supporting Ambassador
Kei Nishikori, professional tennis player

Message from Kei Nishikori:

Hi, everyone. I'm Kei Nishikori, the NTT Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay Supporting Ambassador. I'll be doing everything I can to connect people with hope. Together, let's bring our rays of hope to the whole country!

NTT Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torchbearer Recruitment Commercial

The NTT Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torchbearer Recruitment Commercial will screen from Monday June 24.

NTT Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torchbearer Recruitment Commercial
On-air Monday June 24

1. The NTT Group member companies covered by the agreement are as follows:
   • NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
   • NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE EAST CORPORATION
   • NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE WEST CORPORATION
   • NTT Communications Corporation
   • NTT DOCOMO, Inc.
2. Basic Recruitment Requirements for Torchbearers determined by the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
   Source: https://tokyo2020.org/en/special/torch/olympic/torchbearer/
   Torchbearer applicants must fulfill the following basic recruitment conditions:
   • Applicants must be born on or before 1 April 2008. The consent of a parent or guardian is required for those who will be aged 17 or under on 1 March 2020 (the first day of the month in which the torch relay will start).
   • Applicants must have a personal connection to the leg of the tour in which they wish to act as a torchbearer (i.e. persons who currently reside or previously resided in the prefecture, persons currently belonging to a school or workplace in the prefecture, persons with family or relatives residing in the prefecture, persons previously active in the prefecture in which they wish to act as a torchbearer, etc.)
   • Any nationality and gender will be accepted.
   • Applicants must be able to carry the torch safely of their own volition. However, the support of a guide runner will be accepted as needed.
   • Those applying with the objective of communicating a political or religious message will not be accepted as a torchbearer.
   • Those who serve as a public officer under the Public Offices Election Act (member of Diet, member or head of a local government), a candidate or prospective candidate of a public office, or a leader or those in a position equivalent to a leader of a political party/organisation will not be accepted as a torchbearer.
   • A religious figure will not be accepted as a torchbearer in recognition of his / her religious achievements.