The Tokyo Olympic torch relay began on the 13th in Hokkaido.
Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, relays on public roads were canceled, and an ignition ceremony was held in Shiraoi Town on the 13th of the first day.
At the beginning of the torch relay in Hokkaido, more than 200 torchbearers were scheduled to connect 18 cities and towns in Hokkaido in the two days of 13th and 14th, but a state of emergency due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection was declared this month. Due to the extension until the 20th, all relays on public roads have been cancelled.
As an alternative event, on the 13th of the first day, an ignition ceremony was held at the Ainu culture transmission base "Upopoy" in Shiraoi Town, which was scheduled for the goal point.
At the ceremony, the names of all the torchbearers who were scheduled to run on the first day were read aloud.
Next, on behalf of the torchbearer, Mr. Hibiki Yamamichi (32), a staff member of Upopoi, moved the ignited torch up and down three times to put the torch on the torch, following the traditional Ainu worship called "Onkami". I moved it.
Mr. Yamamichi said, "I wanted to convey that there are people with various roots in Hokkaido and Japan. I ignited with Onkami with everyone's thoughts."
On the 14th of the second day of the torch relay in Hokkaido, an ignition ceremony will be held at Sapporo Kita 3-jo Plaza.