The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson meets Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe and signs an agreement to strengthen ties between the cities.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, met Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe on Wednesday (October 14) to boost relations between the two cities.
Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe began the meeting by expressing regret that Japan could not compete against England in this year’s rugby world cup.
“I was hoping to see Japan and England compete in a rugby match, but unfortunately that wasn’t possible this time,” said Masuzoe.
Johnson and Masuzoe signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperative ties between the two cities specifically in the areas of urban development, environment, cultural exchange, transport, tourism, and the hosting of major sports events.
Both parties also exchanged views regarding the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“We would like to learn from London’s Olympic and Paralympics success, and the legacy they created after, and apply it to Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic and Paralympic games, along with the strategies we have to achieve the goal of becoming the best city in the world,” Masuzoe told reporters.
“I want you to know that we have absolutely no hesitation in preparing to surrender the crown that we currently hold of having delivered the greatest ever Olympic and Paralympic games, to Tokyo,” Johnson added.
Johnson and Masuzoe also said they hope to tackle common challenges both cities are facing together. (Reuters)
