The Tokyo Olympic torch relay started in Kumamoto Prefecture on the 5th.
The Tokyo Olympic torch relay is held in Kumamoto Prefecture from the 5th to the 2nd, and 169 runners will connect.
In Hitoyoshi City, which was the starting point of the record heavy rain in July last year, 12 runners relayed the city center, which is gradually recovering, in the unfortunate rain.
Among them, a woman whose home was flooded by heavy rain said, "The torch relay was damaged while it was postponed for one year. Today I ran with the feeling of'good luck'."
In the next section, Minamata City, Akira Hotta (94), the oldest runner in the prefecture, ran.
Mr. Hotta said, "I thought it was the last run of my life and ran seriously."
Subsequently, the torch traveled over the waters of Minamata Bay on a fishing boat with a large fishing flag.
After that, the torch entered Yatsushiro City via Amakusa City and Uto City, and Kimiko Jinnai, a former Japanese representative of badminton from the local area, arrived at the goal as the final runner and finished the schedule of the first day.
On the 6th of the second day, relays will be held in eight municipalities starting from Mashiki Town, which was hit twice by the Kumamoto Earthquake five years ago, and ending in Kumamoto City, the goal.
In Kumamoto City, relays on public roads have been canceled due to the spread of the new corona infection, and ceremonies will be held without spectators.