NHK makes pledges to Tokyo 2020 audiences

“We want to connect the whole of Japan by providing unprecedented viewing and listening experiences at the very highest level of broadcasting and related services, and provide everyone with a future full of hope that all can share."

With the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games fast approaching, Japanese broadcaster NHK has revealed a “four pledge” goal to provide their audience with high-quality services that would help shape the future of the public media of 2020 and beyond.

The four pledges are:

1. To share the full excitement of the stadium experience all over Japan

The highest-quality, largest-ever broadcasts in history will provide the complete Olympic and Paralympic experience.

2. To deliver the decisive moments anytime, anywhere

The broadcasting + digital technology + innovative platform nexus will share every big moment of the Games.

3. To connect the whole of Japan, and Japan with the world

The coverage of the Games, torch relay and other related events will revisit the attractions of Japan and convey them to the world.

4. To open the doors to coexistence in society

We will promote the spirit of coexistence that stands at the heart of the Paralympic Games though our broadcasting and related services.

“The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games are not only a festival of sport but also an ideal opportunity to reform Japanese society,” NHK said in a press release.

“We want to connect the whole of Japan by providing unprecedented viewing and listening experiences at the very highest level of broadcasting and related services, and provide everyone with a future full of hope that all can share.

“NHK is building the new shape of the broadcasting media that answers people’s wishes to contact with each other, establishing the new, most suitable shape of the public media, and aiming to contribute ever more to Japanese society in the years beyond 2020.”

Opening doors to co-existence

NHK has sought to expand activities for their first team of Paralympic broadcast reporters.

The team for the Paralympic Games was selected to deliver the attractions of the Paralympic events and Para athletes to all viewers and listeners, looking to build the momentum for 2020 and help open the doors to post-2020 coexistence in society at large.

The team includes Yuki Goto, who has a hearing disability, Erina Chiba, who has cerebral palsy, and Taishin Mikami, who has a right arm disability.

Their experiences include coverage of the Para ice hockey competition at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, where Japan won their first Paralympic medal in the sport.

They will also be present at the London 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in September and the Dubai 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in November.