Tokyo, Jiji Press

Britain's Prince Harry on Saturday met at a Tokyo facility athletes of sports included in the 2020 Paralympic Games.

The Duke of Sussex interacted with wheelchair rugby, powerlifting and boccia athletes at the Nippon Foundation Para Arena in Shinagawa Ward, built last year.

He was visiting Japan for the first time to watch England play against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama, near Tokyo, the same day.

Japan's wheelchair rugby team was fourth in the 2012 London Games and won bronze in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

Praising the arena, Prince Harry encouraged wheelchair rugby players, expressing hope that Japan will win gold in the 2020 Paralympic wheelchair rugby event.

Female powerlifting player Eri Yamamoto, who guided Prince Harry, said the Duke of Sussex "joked and was frank."

In 2014, Prince Harry launched the Invictus Games international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service members. The event has been held four times so far.