InsideJapan News Network
Tuesday,
5th
January
2010
In Sports,
In Sports,
North Korean team head to Japan for contest
The North Korean women's football team is to visit Japan to take part in a tournament in February, after the country relaxed its visa requirements for the players.
Japan has had sanctions in place against travel from Pyongyang but has lifted some rules to allow the team to travel to take part in the East Asian championships.
Most North Korean citizens cannot travel to Japan at all after sanctions put in place following North Korea's testing of nuclear bombs back in 2006.
Relations between the two nations have been traditionally fraught as Japan used to colonise parts of Korea.
Commenting on the decision, chief cabinet secretary Hirofumi Hirano said: "Basically we have decided to approve it, because it is for sport. But we will conduct the appropriate immigration inspections."
Japan, South Korea and China will also be taking part in the East Asian championships which is being run by the East Asian Football Federation.
Written by Kimberley Homer.
Related news stories:
Japanese take game to North Koreans for first time in two decades (27th October 2011)
Ex-North Korean spy heads to Japan for visit (20th July 2010)
North Korean men who drifted to Japan in wooden boat return home (9th January 2012)
Japan condemns latest North Korean missile launch (2nd July 2009)
Japan has had sanctions in place against travel from Pyongyang but has lifted some rules to allow the team to travel to take part in the East Asian championships.
Most North Korean citizens cannot travel to Japan at all after sanctions put in place following North Korea's testing of nuclear bombs back in 2006.
Relations between the two nations have been traditionally fraught as Japan used to colonise parts of Korea.
Commenting on the decision, chief cabinet secretary Hirofumi Hirano said: "Basically we have decided to approve it, because it is for sport. But we will conduct the appropriate immigration inspections."
Japan, South Korea and China will also be taking part in the East Asian championships which is being run by the East Asian Football Federation.
Written by Kimberley Homer.
Related news stories:
Japanese take game to North Koreans for first time in two decades (27th October 2011)
Ex-North Korean spy heads to Japan for visit (20th July 2010)
North Korean men who drifted to Japan in wooden boat return home (9th January 2012)
Japan condemns latest North Korean missile launch (2nd July 2009)
Latest Headlines
-
Click on a region above to expand
Order a
InsideJapan meets Masterchef at Destinations -
27/01/2012
Show Time for IJT – Get your FREE tickets here! - 01/12/2011
Matsuri madness in London - 12/09/2011
Show all stories >>
Show Time for IJT – Get your FREE tickets here! - 01/12/2011
Matsuri madness in London - 12/09/2011
Show all stories >>
-2010.jpg "The Guardian, The Observer - Travel Awards 2010 Winner - Best tour operator (small)")
.jpg "Inside Japan Tours - Silver at the British Travel Awards 2009")
