On Saturday, 13 September, the curtain will rise on the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. This global celebration of sport will unite more than 2,000 athletes from around 200 countries and territories in a quest for world glory. For nine unforgettable days, Tokyo will become the centre of the athletics world, where history will be written, records will be broken, and legends will be born.
We are delighted to share the full details of the Opening Ceremony, which promises to set the stage for this extraordinary showcase of human achievement.
Opening ceremony detail
Date & time: Saturday, 13 September 2025, 17:35 – 17:50
Venue: Japan National Stadium, Tokyo
Programme:
Opening performance: Kodo (Japanese taiko drummers)
National anthem: Performed by Tomotaka Okamoto
Welcome address: Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics
Host City address: Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo
Official declaration of opening: His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino
Please note: Spectators holding tickets for DAY 1 (Saturday, 13 September) Evening Session will be able to enjoy the Opening Ceremony inside the Japan National Stadium.
Declaration of Opening
Official Opening Declaration by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino
The official opening of the event will be declared by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino, marking the moment when the eyes of the world turn to Tokyo!
Performances
Opening artist
KODO
Kodo is a pioneering ensemble that explores the limitless possibilities of traditional Japanese percussion and music, reimagining it for the modern era. The group made its debut at the Berlin Arts Festival in 1981 and has since performed more than 7,500 times across 50 countries and territories. In addition to theatre performances, Kodo engages with students through “school exchange performances” for elementary, junior, and senior high schools, and collaborates across diverse genres including world music, classical, jazz, rock, and dance. They have also participated in major international arts festivals and film music projects worldwide.
Kodo’s creative work, lifestyle, and artistic philosophy on Sado Island have attracted attention from artists and cultural leaders across the globe. From 2012 to 2016, acclaimed actor and director Tamasaburo Bando served as Kodo’s artistic director. In recent years, the group has expanded its collaborations, including performances with virtual singer Hatsune Miku, a joint production with Bando Tamasaburo titled Yugen, and appearances at major events such as Fuji Rock Festival 2018.
Kodo performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Osaka-Kansai World Expo, continuing its tradition of bringing Japanese culture to the world stage.
National Anthem Performance
The Japanese national anthem will be performed by Tomotaka Okamoto, a celebrated male soprano, whose powerful and emotive voice will herald the start of the Championships.
TOMOTAKA OKAMOTO
Born in 1976 in Sukumo City, Kochi Prefecture, Tomotaka Okamoto is an exceptionally rare talent—a natural male soprano. After graduating from the Kunitachi College of Music, he completed his studies at France’s Poulenc Conservatory and graduated as a valedictorian.
Renowned for a voice that resonates warmly and deeply in the hearts of listeners, Okamoto’s singing has been called a “miraculous”. His distinctive personality and stage presence, including unique fashion sense, have earned him acclaim beyond the classical music world. His repertoire is vast, spanning sacred music, opera, crossover works, Japanese folk songs, and pop music.