The 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games are taking place in Tokyo. But under a central government plan to build national support for the games, residents from Hokkaido to Kyushu will have the opportunity to see and interact with the athletes coming from around the world.

In advance of both games, 138 cities, towns and villages had registered with the central government as of last week to serve as host towns. Under the initiative, local governments will welcome Olympic and Paralympic delegations for cultural and sports events prior to the games themselves. In some cases, host towns will also serve as official pre-Olympic training camps.

The main purpose of the program is to promote educational and sports exchanges between local residents and visiting athletes and coaches, who will conduct workshops, give lectures, demonstrate their sport or sports through friendly games, and explain their country's customs and cultures.