As a part of their internship and practical experience, they will provide doorstep schooling to elementary school students in far flung regions of the State. This initiative will also help diploma students gain teaching experience for their course curriculum, the Minister said.
Professional illustrators, designers and residents of the Asian country, including non-Japanese, are eligible to participate in the contest. They can submit their proposals within the next two weeks through the Tokyo 2020 website, reports Efe.
In December, a panel appointed by the organisation will pick a shortlist from the design sets and then let elementary school children across Japan select their favourite set.
The panel, which is set to announce the winner in March 2018, will meet again between July and August 2018 to give the chosen mascots names.
Mascots are very popular in Japan, where it is common for private companies and state agencies of all kinds to use them to promote their products and services.