Apart from a small number of schoolchildren, supporters are still unable to watch the 4,400 athletes from 162 teams compete in events due to rising Covid cases.
The games were delayed by a year due to the pandemic, and coronavirus travel restrictions have meant that athletes from Pacific Island nations Samoa, Kiribati, Tonga and Vanuatu are unable to travel.
A lone volunteer carried the flag for Afghanistan, with its athletes unable to travel to Japan due to the ongoing Taliban takeover.
The theme of the ceremony was “We Have Wings”, aiming to highlight the courage of Paralympians who are trying to spread their wings “no matter which way the wind blows”.
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