Emperor Naruhito will assume the role of Honorary Patron of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Imperial Household Agency announced Monday.
The honor was formally requested by Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori, and submitted to the Imperial Household Agency through Prime Minister Shinzo Abe earlier this month.
The emperor will officially assume the role on Wednesday, exactly one year before the Olympics begin in the Japanese capital next summer.