Ceremony commences with light-filled dance, national anthem performance
The opening ceremony kicked off with a dance inspired by how sports can bring people together after a difficult year marked by a global pandemic.
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Bright, moving lights filled the empty venue and the rhythm was meant to imitate a heartbeat as dozens of Japanese performers pranced across the stadium.
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Arisua Tsubata, a boxer and nurse who treated COVID-19 patients, helmed the opening dance performance from a treadmill in the center of the stadium grounds.
Following the colorful dance event, the Japanese national anthem was sung by artist MISIA as the as the iconic flag was raised by members of Japan's Self-Defense Forces.
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Japan’s Emperor Naruhito was in attendance, taking on the same role his grandfather held when he opened the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
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The ceremony then featured percussive performances meant to honor traditional Japanese carpentry arts. Beloved Japanese tap dancer Kazunori Kumagai also made a cameo performance.
Fireworks erupted over the stadium, lighting up the sky and officially commencing the Summer Olympics.