The organizing committee of the 2020 Tokyo Games on Monday appointed Nomura Mansai, an actor of kyogen Japanese traditional theater, to oversee the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics and Paralympics.

Nomura, 52, one of Japan's leading traditional stage comedy and film actors, will head the production team for the ceremonies in the role of chief executive creative director.

(L-R: Takashi Yamazaki [Credit: SHIROGUMI INC], Nomura Mansai,  Hiroshi Sasaki)

"I'm very honored, and I also feel the weight on my shoulders. I will do my best to create ceremonies that are full of wit," he said in a statement released by the organizers.

The organizing committee of the 2020 Games rubber-stamped the decision at Monday's board meeting in Fukushima Prefecture, where the torch relay for the 2020 Games will start. The organizers created an eight-member team last year to discuss the implementation of the ceremonies.

Filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki, 54, best known for his film series "Always -- Sunset on Third Street" that depicts life in a close-knit Tokyo neighborhood after World War II, will take the lead in creating the format and stories for the Olympic ceremonies.

The Paralympic ceremonies will be led by creative director Hiroshi Sasaki, 63, who has worked in Japan's advertising industry.

Sasaki helped craft Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's role at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, in which the premier appeared dressed as iconic videogame character Mario.

The opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will share the same core value, with the four ceremonies conveying themes such as peace, coexistence, reconstruction and the future.

The organizers expect Nomura to take a leadership role and make full use of his acting and directing experience when working with other staff members, expected to be several hundred.

"(Nomura) has deep knowledge about many areas. I think we picked the right person," said Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee President Yoshiro Mori.

"He may be young, but he even has knowledge about my generation," the 81-year-old former prime minister said.

Nomura played the main role in the film "Onmyoji" (The Yin-Yang Master). Two-time Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu skated to the film's soundtrack for his free skate program at February's Pyeongchang Games.

The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to be held between July 24 and Aug. 9, followed by the Paralympics from Aug. 25 to Sept. 6.