Sir Philip was speaking at a special meeting of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan - a private club of ex-patriot reporters and professionals - in the Japanese capital today where he was joined by Yasuhi Yamawaki, vice-president of Tokyo 2020 and President of the Japanese Paralympic Committee.

"I can tell and I sense that the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics will be the Games that propel the Paralympic Movement to new unimaginable levels," said Sir Philip.

"The commitment and the enthusiasm that the Organising Committee has shown so far is infectious and I'm so excited by what will take place.

"And, I am also delighted that the Tokyo 2020 Executive Board features a number of people involved in Paralympic sport."

Both Sir Philip and Yamawaki spoke about their optimism for the Games and highlighted what they believe the event can do for the Paralympic Movement in the coming years.

"The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics will change a social perception and remove a barrier in people's minds towards people with an impairment," said Yamawaki, who is also a member of the IPC Governing Board.

"I strongly believe that the Paralympics have the power to change a society and make it more equitable and inclusive.

"The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics will be a kind of gateway to the future - a golden opportunity to leave a legacy, which connects to an equitable, comfortable and inclusive society."

Tokyo 2020 vice-president Yasuhi Yamawaki and IPC President Sir Philip Craven spoke at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan today ©Tokyo 2020



Sir Philip is in Tokyo to get an update on preparations for the Paralympics and he also met the Governor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Yoichi Masuzoe.

Yesterday he attended a signing ceremony where it was announced that Panasonic had agreed an official worldwide Paralympic partnership agreement with the IPC that runs up until the end of the Tokyo 2020 Games.

The Games will be the first time the Paralympics have been held in the same city for a second time after Tokyo staged the second edition of the Games in 1964, attracting 375 athletes from 21 countries.

Sir Philip is set to travel to Incheon tomorrow where he is scheduled to give a keynote address at the 2014 Inclusive Sport and Society Forum.

On Saturday (October 18) he will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Para Games at the Munhak Sports Complex in the South Korean city.

Around 4,500 athletes from 42 countries will be competing in 23 sports at this year's event which runs until October 24.

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