Japan marks 200 days to Olympics

The countdown clock in front of JR Tokyo Station in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, reads "200 days." (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

As Monday marked 200 days until the start of the Tokyo Olympics in July, a torch to be used in the relay was put on display in the lobby of the municipal government building in Nambu, Yamanashi Prefecture.

The 71-centimeter-high torch, which looks like a cherry blossom when viewed from above, is a pink-gold color. The aluminum used for its body was taken from dismantled temporary housing built after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

The torch will be exhibited in 27 municipalities in Yamanashi Prefecture through June.

A town official holds a relay torch in Nambu, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Monday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

The city of Yokohama, which will be a venue for baseball and softball games, released video messages from seven athletes on a special website. Eri Yamada, a gold medalist in softball at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, said in her message: "I'm happy I can participate in the Olympics in my hometown. I definitely want to win a gold medal."

The countdown clock in front of JR Tokyo Station read "200 days" on Monday.

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