Tokyo 2020 starts accepting mascot design proposals

Tokyo, Aug 1 (IANS) The Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 on Tuesday began accepting mascot design proposals during a ceremony at an elementary school in Tokyo's Asakusabashi neighbourhood.

Professional illustrators, designers and residents of the Asian country, including non-Japanese, are eligible to participate in the contest. They can submit their proposals within the next two weeks through the Tokyo 2020 website, reports Efe.

In December, a panel appointed by the organisation will pick a shortlist from the design sets and then let elementary school children across Japan select their favourite set.

The panel, which is set to announce the winner in March 2018, will meet again between July and August 2018 to give the chosen mascots names.

Mascots are very popular in Japan, where it is common for private companies and state agencies of all kinds to use them to promote their products and services.

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