On March 6th, Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings President Taiyo Onishi visited Minister of State for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Tamayo Marukawa for an information exchange meeting ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games. The purpose of this exchange meeting was to hear from experts from a wide range of fields in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Games. At the meeting, President Onishi explained the background behind the Isetan Mitsukoshi Group's "JAPAN SENSES" sales initiative since 2011 and its proposal of "this is Japan" as its corporate message since 2015. On the day of the event, President Onishi held a pocket square made from "Tennin no Hagoromo," the world's lightest organdy, which he had been carrying in the breast pocket of his suit, and the conversation began with a discussion of Japan's cutting-edge manufacturing. "While it is important to introduce excellent Japanese products to overseas markets, our project also aims to convey the good things about Japan to Japanese people. Introducing and connecting the traditional crafts and craftsmanship of each region to a domestic audience is the mission of the retail industry and will also contribute to the success of the Olympics," President Onishi said, sharing his thoughts.

"We would like to broaden our perspective and expand on the fact that the Olympic and Paralympic Games are not only a festival of sports but also a festival of culture," Minister Marukawa also confirmed the importance of "legacy."

Text: Noda Tatsuya