Daichi Miura writes new song "Kokoroyakuon" to support TEAM JAPAN as they take on the Paris 2024 Olympics

■ “Every second of the lives that you athletes have lived. Every heartbeat. And the new beginning that lies ahead.” (Daichi Miura)

Daichi Miura has written a new song, “Heartbeat,” as the official support song for TEAM JAPAN as they compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

This song will be used in the TEAM JAPAN concept movie and will be shown on TV commercials and in the athletes’ village.

The new song “Heartbeat” was created with the keyword “heartbeat,” which is the sound of a beginning for people, as it represents the “beginner’s intention” that people think back to when they take a step forward, and a new “beginning” for them after they have taken that step.The song has a beat that inspires each athlete, and a warmth that creates a sense of unity as one team, TEAM JAPAN.

This concept video was produced by the JOC for the first time, with the concept of “The courage to take a step forward” in preparation for Paris 2024.

“You fall many times, but you look forward and take another step. Athletes are people who never stop moving forward. It is better to do nothing than to fail. In this day and age where challenges are perceived as risky, TEAM JAPAN wants to be a presence that can give everyone the courage to take that step forward. We want to convey that a wonderful future awaits them if they take that step.”

To convey TEAM JAPAN’s strong feelings, Miura’s powerful new song “Kokoro-yon” is accompanied by footage of TEAM JAPAN’s symbolic athletes Abe Uta (Judo), Abe Hifumi (Judo), Ishikawa Yuki (Volleyball), Hashimoto Daiki (Gymnastics), Minobe Kazuyasu (Fencing), TEAM JAPAN’s next symbolic athletes Fujinami Akari (Wrestling) and Honda Akari (Swimming) who will be competing in the Paris 2024 Games, when they “took a step forward” in their childhood, as well as footage of them performing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games. The video is filled with the desire to give children all over Japan the courage to “take a step forward” not only in sports but in various fields, by watching the athletes perform well at the Olympics.

The footage will be broadcast on TEAM JAPAN’s YouTube channel, Paris 2024 live coverage, TVer’s Olympic special, Live Board’s outdoor vision, and JOC owned media.

■ Comment from Daichi Miura
Every second of the lives that the athletes have lived. The repeated heartbeats. And the new beginnings that lie ahead. I created the music while imagining these things in my own way.
I hope that it will ring out with excitement from the players heading into the match, and from all those who are supporting TEAM JAPAN.
■Comment from Yasuo Inoue, Paris 2024 Project Leader (and Vice-Leader of TEAM JAPAN Paris 2024)
Daichi Miura has written a song for TEAM JAPAN, and as the project leader for the Paris Olympics, I couldn’t be more encouraged. Based on our team slogan, “Take the courage to step forward – together to greater heights”, the song is packed with our soul, incorporating the Olympic motto and the strong, passionate feelings of the athletes and staff towards the Olympics. With the pride and responsibility of TEAM JAPAN in our hearts, we will fight with this song. It would be great if everyone could liven up the Olympics with this song. We will do our best to make you feel the excitement, dreams and hope!! GO TEAM JAPAN!!
■Comment from TEAM JAPAN’s Symbol Athlete/Kazunori Minobe (Fencing)
It’s made so coolly that it brings back memories.
The photo was from when I first started fencing as a freshman in high school, and it really reminded me of that moment when I took that first step.
Combined with Daichi Miura’s song, I feel like the Olympics are finally about to begin, and I’ve been able to reaffirm the courage I felt at that time that created that excitement, and I feel like I can take on the challenge with great force.
■Comment from TEAM JAPAN’s symbol athlete, Daiki Hashimoto (Gymnastics/Artistic Gymnastics)
Ever since I was a little girl, my goal has been to win a gold medal at the Olympics.
Having won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, I feel that I have received courage and hope from many people, so I have decided to take on the challenge again at the Paris Olympics.
The inspiring visuals will give you the courage to take a step towards your goal of winning the Paris Olympics for the second time in a row, and Daichi Miura’s theme song matches perfectly with them. This commercial will make you want to work hard towards your dream of becoming number one in the world, together with everyone’s thoughts, so please watch it and we hope you will fight with us and support us.