The Japanese parliament passed into law on Wednesday a bill for launching a sports agency to co-ordinate sports administration ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The agency will be tasked with improving the performance of Japanese athletes and people's health, among other duties. It will be run by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
The agency will also help send Japanese coaches overseas, improve sports for disabled people and attract international tournaments.
The head of the agency has yet to be appointed. Saburo Kawabuchi, 78, top adviser of the Japan Football Association, is among the possible candidates, Kyodo news agency reported.
A separate bill for creating a special ministerial post for the Tokyo Olympics is expected to pass through parliament later this month.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.