Fukushima: The Tokyo Summer Olympic torch relay began in Fukushima on Thursday, and is scheduled to make its way across Japan over a 121-day journey and culminate with the start of the Games in July.
Olympic officials say the journey will take the torch to 859 municipalities in all 47 Japanese prefectures.
The relay began Thursday at the national soccer training facility in Fukushima, a site specifically chosen as the start point because of its ties to the 2011 earthquake and nuclear plant disaster. Officials said starting there symbolizes Japan’s hope and peace in the face of challenges it’s faced over the past decade.
“Fukushima Prefecture was the perfect venue for the torch to begin its four-month journey to Tokyo,” the organizing committee said in a statement. “The area was devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011 and the effects of the ensuing tsunami and nuclear disaster are still felt there to this day.
“The city, though, has become a symbol of hardship and resilience. Of tragedy and triumph.”
