Hot Shot: Japan's Sports Diplomacy and Tokyo 2020

From 23-24 February, Mr Norikazu Suzuki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Mr Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne visited Melbourne Park to discuss Tokyo Paralympics with the Australian wheelchair players.

Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne, Kazuyoshi Matsunaga(L), MP Martin Pakula(C), Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Japan, Norikazu Suzuki(R) Source: SBS Japanese

For the first time visiting Melbourne, Mr Norikazu Suzuki, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Japan said that he was fascinated to see the multicultural society like Melbourne. He met Victorian Senator Shaun Leane and Martin Pakula MP to discuss the options to further strengthen economic and cultural relationships between the two nations.

After the talk, Vice-Minister Suzuki and Consulate-General Matsunaga enjoyed playing tennis with the Australian wheelchair players in Melbourne Park. They also tried wheelchair tennis for the first time.

Source: SBS Japanese

The sporting diplomacy has been centred around Prime MInister Shinzo Abe's foreign policy since 2013. Japan is targeting over 100 countries, 10 million people around the globe, especially the developing countries to expand sporting values. As the hosting nation of 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, its projects continue in order to elevate its international position.

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