Printing firms DNP and Toppan have been unveiled as Tokyo 2020 sponsors ©DNP/Toppan

Printing companies Dai Nippon and Toppan have been unveiled as the 41st and 42nd members of the Tokyo 2020 domestic sponsorship programme.

The two firms have each been added as Official Partners in the "Printing Services" category to replicate their involvement in Tokyo 1964, the last occasion the Japenese capital hosted the Olympics. 

"I am delighted to welcome Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. and Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. as Tokyo 2020 Official Partners," said Organising Committee President, Yoshirō Mori.

"Both these companies are leading players in the Japanese printing industry, and have very distinguished histories that stretch back well over a century. 

"They were actively involved in the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games, printing promotional posters and providing other printing services. 

"With their comprehensive printing services that include leading-edge anti-counterfeiting technologies, I am confident that DNP and Toppan will make a significant contribution to the successful delivery of the Tokyo 2020 Games."

The two become the first new partners to be unveiled since new Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike commissioned a report which warned that the total cost of the Olympics and Paralympics could exceed ¥3 trillion (£22 billion/$30 billion/€26 billion) if drastic cuts are not made.

Printing companies Dai Nippon and Toppan were involved in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo ©Getty Images
Printing companies Dai Nippon and Toppan were involved in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo ©Getty Images

This is despite the impressive number of sponsors to have already been signed-up.

"At the Games of the XVIII Olympiad at Tokyo in 1964, we supported tournament management by printing tickets and posters," said DNP President Yoshitoshi Kitajima.

"In the lead up to the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, we are taking full advantage of our printing technologies, and are presently engaged in the creation of new value that will enhance people's lives in a variety of ways.

"I believe that this ideal is in harmony with the vision of the Tokyo 2020 Games."

Toppan President Shingo Kaneko added: "The creative skills our company possesses have been honed over many years, and we will leverage these to communicate the beauty of Tokyo as the city evolves in the lead up to 2020, and to generate momentum in the build up to the Games. 

"With safe and secure services enabled by high-security anti-counterfeiting printing technologies, we hope to contribute to making Tokyo 2020 Games an event that everyone involved can be proud of."