Japan has chosen two futuristic fox-like creatures with "supernatural" powers as its mascots for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The yet unnamed mascots won a vote among schoolchildren, beating four other equally surreal contenders.

The organizing committee said 16,769 schools across the country took part in the ballot.

The mascots will greet visitors to the 2020 Games and help spread the Olympic and Paralympic spirit, it said.

They have a tough act to follow after Soohorang and Bandabi, the official mascots of the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The white tiger - a traditional symbol of strength and protection in South Korea - and black Asiatic bear have been a huge hit with sporting fans.

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