Tokyo 2020 official mascots and their contribution to the promotion of Japan’s culture and legacy

Abstract

This article focuses on the Tokyo 2020 official mascots, Miraitowa (Olympic mascot) and Someity (Paralympic mascot) and their contribution to the promotion of Japan’s culture and legacy. After presenting the cultural importance of mascots in Japan, the article proposes an onomastic study of the names Miraitowa and Someity, which meanings carry values as well as cultural elements. The article then describes the mascots’ selection process, which is based on a participatory approach and reflects the host country’s desire to strengthen schoolchildren’s sense of belonging to the Olympic movement. The article concludes by highlighting the mascots’ personification and their role as soft power tools.