More than 100 North Korean athletes have begun arriving in Japan for the Asian Games, with pro-Pyongyang supporters welcoming the delegation by waving North Korean flags and singing songs. The athletes are scheduled to compete in 14 sports at the Games in Nagoya-Aichi, which officially open on September 19. Some events, including football, will begin before the opening ceremony. North Korea’s men’s football team arrived in Osaka from Beijing around midday on Friday. The players wore white blazers with pink ties, light blue shirts and blue trousers, with the North Korean flag prominently displayed on their jackets. A large group of pro-Pyongyang supporters gathered to greet the team, presenting the players with bouquets before they boarded a bus. The athletes waved from the windows and high-fived supporters as they departed. North Korea’s women’s football team was expected to arrive later on Friday. The team has achieved significant success internationally at youth level. The men’s team will begin its Asian Games campaign against China on September 16, while the women’s team will face Bangladesh on Monday. The women have also been drawn in a group with South Korea, whom they are scheduled to play on September 21. The participation comes after North Korea largely withdrew from international sporting competitions during the coronavirus pandemic. The country returned to the Asian Games in China in 2023 and also competed at the Paris Olympics. Japan generally prohibits North Korean nationals from entering the country as part of sanctions related to Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmers. However, athletes can receive special exemptions, according to Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara.“There are special circumstances warranting an exceptional decision to permit entry,” Kihara said, referring to the Asian Games’ objective of promoting international exchange.Kihara stressed that Japan’s policy had not changed and that the country “in principle prohibits entry by North Korean nationals”. Japan and North Korea do not have diplomatic relations. Ahead of the Games, a pro-North Korean organization in Tokyo has encouraged people living in Japan to attend events and support the North Korean athletesChoson Sinbo, a pro-North Korean publication based in Japan, published a video featuring students from Korea University demonstrating chants and songs for supporters. The students also encouraged spectators to attend events wearing North Korea’s red Colour
