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Tokyo 2016 strengthened its team with the appointment of Marketing and Communications specialist Yoshimitsu Kaji as the Bid Committee’s Executive Director. The recruitment demonstrates the commitment of Japanese business to Tokyo 2016’s mission of setting the stage for heroes as Kaji joins the Bid Committee on secondment from the major Japanese automotive firm, Nissan Motor co. ltd.

Joining Tokyo 2016 exactly six months prior to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) vote on the host of the 2016 Summer Games, Kaji brings with him more than 20 years of marketing and communications experience working for some of the world’s major corporate sponsors of sport.

In the months to come, Kaji will use his vast experience to engage with the international and national media and develop Tokyo 2016’s communications strategy. In particular, he will play a key role in the IOC Evaluation Commission’s visit to Tokyo (14-20 April) and in building on the momentum of Tokyo 2016’s Bid.

Kaji is joining Tokyo 2016 after four successful years working for the Nissan Group – a major supporter of international sport that currently sponsors the Mountain Bike World Cup, the Freeride World Tour and the Outdoor Games. While at Nissan, he was marketing director responsible for the acclaimed launch of the company’s GT-R sports car.

Prior to joining Nissan, Kaji worked at a series of international brands with major connections to sport including the TOP Olympic Partner Coca Cola, as well as Sony Pictures Entertainment and Time Warner Entertainment. During his time as a brand communication manager at Coca Cola, he was responsible for the launch of the “For the Fans” advertising campaign during the Nagano Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A passionate amateur sportsman, Kaji is a committed long-distance runner and has completed four marathons.

Dr Ichiro Kono, Chair and CEO of Tokyo 2016, said:
“We are thrilled to add Yoshimitsu Kaji to our already talented team. He is an experienced marketing professional and an enthusiastic sports fan and his arrival illustrates the growing confidence that Japanese businesses feel about bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games back in the heart of Tokyo. We are grateful to Nissan for allowing him to join Tokyo 2016 on secondment to ensure that we have the best possible team in place for the final six months of our campaign.”

Yoshimitsu Kaji said:
“It is a great honour for me to join Tokyo 2016 in the final stage of the Bid’s campaign. The whole of Japan is excited about the arrival of the IOC Evaluation Commission later this month. Working with major international companies, I have experienced the true passion for sport that exists in our country, goes far beyond individuals and includes our corporate world.

“I strongly believe in Japan’s ability to host an inspirational Games at the heart of its vibrant capital city. This Games will be fully backed by financial guarantees as well as advanced and sustainable technologies.

“The Tokyo 2016 Bid team is full of passionate, driven individuals united by the clear vision of setting the stage for heroes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016. I aim to share the experience I have built up over more than 20 years to ensure that we create momentum behind Tokyo 2016’s ultimately victorious campaign to host the Summer Games.”