"She (Sasshi) worked hard enough for the development of this region, as well as serving tourism ambassador in the city."
A statement and the reason made after former HKT48 member Sashihara Rino has been appointed as the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Torchbearer for Oita Prefecture.
Alongside Sasshi, Oita have also picked an actor Ishimarou Kenjirou, a professional swimer Watanabe Ippei, a legendary singer Seri Yoko plus Etou Madoguchi from W ENGINE.