Noriyuki Ishiyama of JCIE / Friends of the Global Fund, Japan (FGFJ) was selected as a torchbearer for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Noriyuki took part in the run on Saturday, May 1, in Okinawa Prefecture representing “The Global Fund – from Okinawa” team consisting of eight members from Japan and abroad, along with celebrity JOY and Morimitsu Touma, Executive Director of the Yaeyama War Malaria Bereaved Family Association. 

In honor of the fact that the Global Fund was first proposed at the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit in 2000, an international team consisting of members who have been involved in the fight to end AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria carried the Olympic torch through the streets of Okinawa.

Celebrating the achievements over the 20 years since the Summit, “The Global Fund – From Okinawa” team emphasizes the value of life, peace, and the importance of international solidarity in ending the epidemic of the three infectious diseases.

For more information on this event, please visit the FGFJ Website.

The Team Name

“The Global Fund – from Okinawa” (In Japanese: 沖縄発グローバルファンド)

The Runners

“The Global Fund – From Okinawa” team is united in their advocacy for communities affected by the three diseases and their mutual desire to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria worldwide. The team includes eight people from around the world who are strong leaders in the fight to end these three epidemics. Seven members of the team were directly affected by these diseases, and some have even received support from the Global Fund. The eighth runner is the executive director of the Global Fund, Peter Sands. More information about the runners can be found here.