Olympic gold medal gymnast Kohei Uchimura hopes to springboard reconstruction efforts in areas devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in his new role as an ambassador for the Reconstruction Agency.
The 28-year-old, who won gold medals in the gymnastics individual all-around and the men’s team categories at the 2016 Rio Olympics, took on the position of reconstruction support ambassador on Jan. 12.
On his ambition for helping people in the northeastern Tohoku region, Uchimura said, “Since I am a gymnast, I want to give courage and inspiration through my performances. I hope that will translate into reconstruction (of disaster-hit areas)."
He is expected to help post-quake reconstruction efforts by performing at gymnastics competitions as well as participating in reconstruction-related events.
The Reconstruction Agency created the post to provide renewed support to the Tohoku region out of concern that public interest in reconstruction efforts may have declined nearly six years after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
Uchimura said he made a snap decision to accept the post when he was approached.
He said his exchanges with children who cheer for him in disaster-affected areas strengthened his belief that a gymnast like himself can play an important role in helping rebuild the Tohoku region.