For Ayano Shimizu's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
The local government of Ichinomiya, Chiba Prefecture, promotes a policy of "Surfonomics" to get the greatest possible financial benefit out of the new addition to the Games.
The head of the International Olympic Committee said going ahead with the games this summer was decided in the interest of athletes preparing for the games for many years.
Operators of Pride House Tokyo aim to offer a place for sexual minorities, especially young people, who have talked of losing access to support networks during the pandemic.
"I can say it's now clearer than ever that these games would be safe for everyone participating and, importantly, safe for the people of Japan," IOC executive John Coates said.
The town of Namie is hoping to shake off its image as a place forever linked to disaster.
While some are keen to show off the progress the Tohoku region has made in the past 10 years, others feel the government has used the 2011 disasters to promote the Olympics.
The relay will be a crucial opportunity for organizers to convince people that it is capable of safely staging the games amid the pandemic.
As well as being a momentum building exercise for the Olympics, the relay also serves as a much-needed PR opportunity for traditional sports in Japan.
The "Omusubi Unites the World" program lets participants combine local rice with fillings inspired by popular international dishes.
'We have, at this moment, no reason whatsoever to believe that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will not open on the 23rd of July,' the IOC chief says.
