Japan is considering allowing entry to a North Korean delegation that has expressed its intention to compete in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which open on the 19th.
Kyodo News reported on the 7th, citing a Japanese government official. Citing an official at the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, known as Chongryon, the news agency said the North Korean delegation is expected to number about 180 people, including support staff. That would be the largest North Korean contingent ever to visit Japan for a sporting event.
Ko Chol-ho, secretary general of North Korea's Olympic Committee, said in an interview last month with Choson Sinbo, the Chongryon newspaper, that the country would send a delegation of about 100 athletes across 14 sports, including soccer, weightlifting and boxing.
Japan in principle bars entry to North Korean nationals as part of its unilateral sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs, but it has granted exceptions for sports exchanges.
In February 2024, the North Korean women's national soccer team entered Japan to play a final qualifying match for the Paris Olympics. In March that year, the men's national team traveled to Japan for a third group-stage match in the Asian second round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is not expected to attend the Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya on the 19th, according to reports. A senior Japanese government official told reporters that day that Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will deliver the opening declaration at the ceremony, Kyodo said.
