Mansai Nomura, chief executive creative director of the opening and closing ceremonies, displays a board about the recruitment of cast assistants during a press conference focusing on preparation for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan, Feb 7, 2020. (WANG ZIJIANG / XINHUA)

TOKYO - Chief executive creative director Mansai Nomura said here on Friday that they have completed nearly 80 percent of the work for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Nomura, a Japanese acting actor who took the position in 2008, said at a press conference, "I think the structure (of the opening ceremony) is already finished. There are still a lot of details we are working on. I think overall we have finished 70 to 80 percent."

I think the structure is already finished. There are still a lot of details we are working on. I think overall we have finished 70 to 80 percent

Nomura Mansai, Chief executive creative director, Tokyo 2020

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The 54-year-old, best known for his performances in kyogen, a traditional form of comedic theatre, said Tokyo will have a "wonderful opening ceremony" although he did not want to reveal any details.

He said that what makes the Tokyo Olympics' opening ceremony different will be the idea of "creating together."

"We have made steady progress and hopefully you will feel excited," he said.

The recruitment of extras for the opening and closing ceremonies officially kicked off on the day and Nomura hopes to give "college students" more opportunities.

Around 1,000 people will be selected to be Olympic assistant cast members with a further 1,200 chosen for the Paralympic Games.

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Applications can made from 12:00 local time on Friday until 23:59 February 28 on Tokyo 2020's official website. The results will be announced in late March.

The assistant cast members will support each delegation at the opening and closing ceremonies for the games.

Mansai Nomura (L), chief executive creative director of the opening and closing ceremonies, and Nakai Hajime, chief ceremony officer of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee, reacts during a press conference focusing on preparation for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan, Feb 7, 2020. (WANG ZIJIANG / XINHUA)

Stadium signs stand outside the new National Stadium Dec 15, 2019, in Tokyo. (JAE C. HONG / AP PHOTO)

The Olympic rings stand near the new National Stadium Dec 15, 2019, in Tokyo. (JAE C. HONG / AP PHOTO)