"Today marks the start of the Tokyo 2020. After one year's full preparation, the torch has appeared once again in front of the world," said Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto at a media briefing following the first day of the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday.

After the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been postponed for a year, the Olympic Torch Relay kicked off on March 25, following the schedule that was unchanged for a year and highlighting the concept of "Hope Lights Our Way."

"Generally speaking, today we had a smooth and successful torch relay," Muto said, adding that the organizing committee of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games (TOGOC) will "prioritize safety and security at Olympic Torch Relay."

"We will follow local requirements about social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We will give up ground celebrations and only have the torch relays," Muto said.

"The torch of Tokyo 2020 will become a bright light of hope for Japanese citizens and citizens in the world and a light at the end of the tunnel," said Seiko Hashimoto, president of a local organizing committee and a former Olympian, as quoted by AP.

Japan's women footballers, champions of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, carried the torch at the first leg starting from the J-Village in Fukushima, Japan.

The Olympic Torch will spend its first three days in the prefectures of Fukushima, Iwate, and Miyagi, which were the areas hit hardest by the 2011 earthquake-tsunami, and the meltdown of three nuclear reactors. Over 18,000 died in the tragedy.

"After the quake in 2011, we weren't even sure if we would be able to take part (in the World Cup) or let alone train properly. But the women came together for Japan and grew with each game, winning the title in the end against most expectations," said Sasaki Norio, manager of the 2011 championship squad who ran first, at a news conference on Wednesday as reported by OlympicChannel.com.

"What we realized through the experience back then is how much sport can inspire. These Games will be a challenge without question. So marking the start of the Olympic Torch Relay is a great deal to us," Norio added.

The Olympic torch will travel across Japan's 47 prefectures in a 121-day journey, with the end at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on July 23.

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