Japan secured 27 gold medals on home soil and is sending approximately 400 athletes to Paris, marking its largest team ever for an overseas Games.

The Tokyo Games were held under stringent anti-coronavirus measures, with spectators banned from most venues and public celebrations canceled. At the Olympic Games three years ago, host nation Japan secured a total of 58 medals, comprising 27 golds, 14 silvers, and 17 bronzes.

Japan's Paris team held a ceremony attended by members of the imperial family, followed by a send-off event filled with enthusiastic fans and schoolchildren.

"Japan is aiming for 55 medals, including 20 golds, in Paris," said Mitsugi Ogata, secretary-general of the Japanese Olympic Committee and head of Japan's delegation to the Paris Games.

"We had to hold the send-off celebrations online three years ago. So, I'm really grateful that we were able to have so many people giving us their support today."

Two-time world champion fencer Misaki Emura and breakdancer Shigeyuki Nakarai, known as "Shigekix," have been named as the flag-bearers for the team.

"This will be the first time that breaking has been at the Olympics and everything is a new challenge," said Nakarai. "It's a great honour to carry the flag."