Hisao Shuto Appointed International Communications Director of Tokyo 2020

Tokyo 2020 today strengthened its team with the appointment of marketing and communications expert Hisao Shuto as the Bid Committee’s International Communications Director.

Shuto brings nearly three decades of sport and communications experience, including 12 years in Japanese Football.

Shuto will use his vast skills and know-how to drive Tokyo 2020 international and national communication, and will play a key role in the IOC Evaluation Commission visit to Tokyo (3-7 March).

With more than 20 years of experience in the communications and marketing industry, Shuto directed communications for a variety of sporting events, including the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan during his time at JAWOC (Japan Organising Committee for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan). In this role he also handled domestic and international media relations. 

More recently during his tenure at the Japan Professional Football League, Shuto handled internal communications for athletes and was also the project manager for increasing stadium attendance numbers.

Tsunekazu Takeda, IOC Member and President of both the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and Tokyo 2020, said: “Our Bid is leveraging the talent of many people from diverse backgrounds, and we are thrilled to add Hisao Shuto to our team. He is an experienced marketing and communications professional and an enthusiastic sports fan. The whole of Japan is looking forward to the arrival of the IOC Evaluation Commission early next month, and our newest appointment underscores our readiness to welcome our international friends. Our Bid team is full of passionate, driven individuals united by a clear passion to deliver a dynamic celebration right in the heart of Tokyo.”

Hisao Shuto said: “It is a great honour for me to join Tokyo’s Bid. I have seen and felt first-hand the true passion for sport that exists throughout Japan during the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan. Ever since, I have hoped that Japan could one day host the world’s most inspirational celebration of sport, the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I aim to use the experience I have built up over more than 20 years to ensure that we create momentum behind what I hope will be a winning campaign for Tokyo.”