White Blazers, Pink Ties as North Koreans Land in Japan for Asian Games
More than 100 North Korean athletes will compete in 14 sports after Japan made entry exceptions for visiting athletes, officials said.
- On Friday, September 11, 2026, North Korean athletes arrived at Kansai International Airport in Izumisano, Japan, for the Asian Games, with the men's football team wearing white blazers and pink ties.
- Japan generally prohibits North Korean citizens from entering the country as a sanction for nuclear and missile development programs, yet officials granted a specific exception for the visiting athletes.
- Pro-Pyongyang supporters welcomed the delegation with songs and flags at the airport, while Choson Sinbo, a pro-North Korean publication based in Japan, featured students from Korea University demonstrating cheers.
- More than 100 North Koreans will compete in 14 sports at the Games, which officially open on September 19 in Nagoya-Aichi, marking the country's continued return to international competition after the pandemic.
- Football competition begins before the official opening ceremony, with the men's team facing China on September 16 and the women's team playing Bangladesh on Monday, September 14, followed by South Korea on September 21.
17 Articles
17 Articles
(Nagoya=Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Dae-ho = The North Korean delegation has set foot on Japanese soil for the first time in the history of the Asian Games.
Asian Games: White blazers as North Koreans land in Japan
North Korean athletes wearing white blazers and pink ties were met by pro-Pyongyang supporters waving flags as they began arriving in Japan for the Asian Games on Friday. More than 100 North Koreans are set to compete in 14 sports at the Games, which take place in Nagoya-Aichi and officially open on September 19. READ: Asian Games: North Korea arrives in Beijing en route to Japan Nuclear-armed North Korea suspended participation in international…
More than 100 North Koreans will represent their country, in 14 disciplines, during this edition, which will take place in Nagoya-Aichi from 19 September.
Channel News Asia
White blazers, pink ties as North Koreans land in Japan for Asian Games
North Korean athletes who arrived in Japan ahead of the Asian Games were welcomed by a large group of supporters who sang songs and waved the country's flag.
The Express Tribune
Islamabad PostNorth Koreans land in Japan for Asian Games
More than 100 North Korean athletes are set to compete in 14 sports
North Korea dispatched a delegation of approximately 180 athletes to Japan on the 11th to participate in the Asian Games in Nagoya, Aichi. This is the largest delegation in 41 years since 1985. North Korea is aiming for gold medals by fielding a large number of star athletes in major sports such as gymnastics, weightlifting, and table tennis, and fierce competition is expected between the two teams, particularly with the inter-Korean women's soc…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
