Japan considers allowing North Korean athletes to enter for Nagoya Asian Games

Japan is considering allowing North Korean athletes to enter the country for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, according to Japanese media reports.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun, citing government sources, reported that Tokyo was examining entry permission for North Korean athletes who had expressed an intention to compete at the Games, which open on the 19th.

The reports said Japan generally bans the entry of North Korean nationals as part of its unilateral sanctions over North Korea's nuclear and missile development. Sports exchanges, however, have previously received exceptions.

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The government is considering allowing entry to North Korean athletes who have expressed their intention to participate in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

North Korea has already announced plans to send a large delegation. Ko Chol-ho, secretary of the North Korean Olympic Committee, told the Chongryon-affiliated Choson Sinbo last month that more than 100 athletes would compete in 14 sports, including men's and women's football, weightlifting, boxing and wrestling.

North Korea stopped taking part in international sporting events after closing its borders in January 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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More than 100 people will participate in 14 sports, including men's and women's football, weightlifting, boxing and wrestling.