Key Facts
• October 10, 2025: Seiko Hashimoto and Junichi Kawai met in Tokyo.
• Both leaders assumed their roles in 2023: Hashimoto in June, Kawai in October.
• Kawai is the first Paralympian to serve as Sports Agency Chief.
• Kawai won five gold medals in Paralympic swimming for visually impaired athletes.
• Hashimoto praised Kawai’s leadership as a symbol of hope for sports in Japan.
• Kawai emphasized collaboration to inspire the nation through sports.
• The two have known each other since the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
• Hashimoto encouraged Kawai to continue his impactful work from his JPC tenure.
Summary
Seiko Hashimoto, President of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), and Junichi Kawai, Chief of the Sports Agency, met for the first time since assuming their respective roles in 2023. The meeting, held on October 10, 2025, in Tokyo, marked a significant moment in Japan’s sports leadership. Kawai, a five-time Paralympic gold medalist, is the first Paralympian to lead the Sports Agency. Both leaders expressed mutual respect and a shared commitment to advancing sports in Japan. Hashimoto highlighted Kawai’s appointment as a milestone for the sports community, while Kawai emphasized the importance of collaboration to inspire the nation through the achievements of athletes. Their long-standing relationship, dating back to the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, underscores their shared dedication to the development of sports in Japan.
