Society | Jul 23

Names of 2020 Tokyo Games mascots unveiled

The organizing committee of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics has unveiled the names of the mascots for the Games.

At an event in Tokyo on Sunday, the committee announced that the name of the Olympic mascot is "Miraitowa" and that of the Paralympic character is "Someity."

Miraitowa derives from the Japanese words "mirai" and "towa," meaning future and forever respectively. It expresses a wish that a beautiful future will continue forever.

Someity comes from the "someiyoshino" variety of cherry tree and the English expression "so mighty." It represents the greatness of Paralympians and the Japanese people's admiration for cherry blossoms.

The committee picked the names from a shortlist of 30 candidate titles proposed by a naming company for each mascot. It also screened them for trademark issues.

Both mascots sport a checkered pattern, which is also a feature on the Games' official emblems. They were selected in February in a vote by school children.

Source: ANNnewsCH


MORE Society NEWS

Last year saw a record-breaking 1,963 prohibition orders issued in Japan under the Stalking Control Law, marking the highest number to date.

Currently, there's a rapid increase in individuals suffering from "spring fatigue." You might be affected without even realizing it.

The emergence of the Gifu butterfly, a harbinger of spring, has commenced once again this year in Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture.

POPULAR NEWS

JAXA has announced the revival of the unmanned explorer "SLIM" following its successful hibernation after making Japan's first moon landing. The probe successfully endured a second lunar night, a period during which temperatures can drop to as low as minus 170 degrees Celsius.

As more people keep pets indoors, there has been a call for caution regarding unexpected pet behavior leading to fire accidents.

Seven-Eleven have extended the expiry date of its hand-rolled onigiri (rice balls), including salmon, plum, kelp, spicy cod roe, and tuna mayonnaise varieties.

The Japanese government finalized a new strategy on Wednesday aimed at the development of next-generation domestic aircraft, including initiatives for eco-friendly aviation technologies.

During a visit to Mie Prefecture, Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, immersed herself in the rich tapestry of Japan's past at a museum within the sacred precincts of Ise Shrine on Wednesday morning.

FOLLOW US