Games plant seeds of recovery

"We will hold a party to welcome the Olympic torch relay," he said. "We hope Momota can come back to his former school."

Tokyo organizers and the Japanese government have labeled this year's Games the "Recovery Olympics". The Olympic torch relay will start its journey on March 26 in J-Village, a venue used as an emergency evacuation center, which will also host the baseball and softball competitions.

Two students from the school have been selected to participate in the relay.

The Olympics have brought fresh hope to people in the town of Okuma, where the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is situated.

About 40 percent of Okuma was last year declared safe for residents to permanently return to after decontamination efforts significantly reduced radiation levels.

However, less than 100 people from Okuma's pre-disaster population of 10,341 have been enticed back, living in the newly built council houses in front of the town hall.

Yoshihiro Takada, executive director of public corporation for the development of Okuma, said the torch relay, which will pass the town hall, will increase the confidence of the people and show that Okuma is safe.