535,000 Apply for Tokyo Olympic torch relay

September 27, 2019

Tokyo--The organizing committee for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics said Thursday it has received 535,717 applications for the Olympic torch relay.

Japanese prefectural committees and four sponsor companies will screen candidates. The organizing committee will make the final selection and notify the successful applicants by email in December.

The ratio of applicants to available spots in the torch relay surpassed 200 in three of Japan's 47 prefectures. The figure was highest in the western prefecture of Hyogo at some 224, according to the committee.

The number of valid applications is not yet known, as those not meeting requirements are believed to be included.

Potential torchbearers were allowed to apply up to five times, to a prefectural committee and the four sponsor companies.

A total of 10,000 people will take part in the 121-day relay, which will pass through all of Japan's 47 prefectures.