Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Tamayo Marukawa took office as the new Olympic minister on Thursday to replace Seiko Hashimoto, who now leads the Tokyo Organising Committee to oversee this summer's games.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters he expects Marukawa to use her previous experience in the role, which she held from 2016 to 2017, to help realize a "safe and secure" games.

Marukawa, a 50-year-old member of the House of Councillors who has also served as environment minister, pledged to prioritize measures against the COVID-19 pandemic in preparing for the Tokyo Games.