TOKYO, Sept 17 (NNN-NHK) – Seven-time Olympian, Seiko Hashimoto, yesterday retained her post as the Olympic Minister, in the newly-formed cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga.
Hashimoto, 55, became one of eight members to keep the same post and the only female member besides Justice Minister, Yoko Kamikawa.
The 71-year-old Suga succeeded Shinzo Abe to become Japan’s first new prime minister in nearly eight years. Abe resigned for health problems.
Hashimoto has the most Olympic appearances of any Japanese athlete, competing in four consecutive Winter Olympics from 1984 to 1994, as a speed skater and three consecutive Summer Olympics from 1988 to 1996 as a track cyclist.
Appointed by Abe as the Olympic Minister in Sept last year, Hashimoto pledged that the postponed Olympic Games would be held next year.
“I think we have to hold the Games next year, at any cost,” she said last week. “I want to concentrate all our efforts on measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.”– NNN-NHK
