Even Japan was surprised by the enthusiastic welcome for the North Korean delegation: "About 100 people gathered"... North Korean athletes smiled and waved, receiving bouquets

*This content was translated by AI.

As the North Korean delegation arrived in Japan for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, warm greetings poured in. The local Japanese media also took notice as about 100 supporters gathered at the airport.

Japanese outlet Nippon.com reported on the 11th that "the North Korean delegation competing in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games arrived in Japan via a flight whose football national team reached Kansai Airport today."

According to the report, about 100 supporters gathered at the airport to welcome the North Korean athletes.

The outlet described that "about 30 members of the North Korea Nam Ja-chuk-gu (CEO) team and officials who appeared that afternoon were wearing white jackets with the North Korean flag pinned on their left chests."

It further explained, "They smiled and waved to the crowd of about 100 supporters and received bouquets, after which they boarded a bus and moved to accommodations in Aichi Prefecture."

Singaporean outlet CNA also conveyed the vivid atmosphere at the scene. The outlet reported that "pro-North Korea supporters offered enthusiastic cheers to the North Korean delegation" and that "North Korean athletes who arrived in Japan ahead of the Asian Games received a large-scale welcome from supporters singing songs and waving the North Korean flag."

It added, "After receiving bouquets, the North Korean delegation boarded a bus. They waved through the bus windows and exchanged 'Haifa' greetings with those who came to welcome them."

The attire of the North Korean delegation also drew attention. The North Korean athletes stepped onto Japanese soil in coordinated uniforms, even matching pink ties.

The outlet stated, "The neatly dressed North Korea Nam Ja-chuk-gu (CEO) team arrived in Osaka via a flight from Beijing. A clear North Korean flag was embroidered on the chest of the clean white jackets worn by the athletes. The players also wore blue pants and light blue shirts."

The very entry of the North Korean delegation into Japan has attracted attention. As part of its independent sanctions on North Korea's nuclear and missile development, the Japanese government generally prohibits entry by North Korean nationals. However, exceptions have been made to allow entry for sports exchanges.

Another Japanese outlet, Kyodo News, reported that "permission for the arrival of the North Korean athletes was completed by the 10th" and added that "Kim Il-guk, North Korea's Minister of Sports, is reportedly coordinating his visit schedule to Japan."

The North Korean delegation participating in this Asian Games totals about 180 people, including officials.

Kyodo News explained that "this will be the largest-scale North Korean delegation ever to visit Japan for a sports competition."

North Korea's first match in this tournament is the women's football group stage against Bangladesh on the 14th.

They will face Myanmar on the 17th, and on the 21st, they will play a "North-South match" against the South Korean Yeo Ja-chuk-gu (CEO) team led by coach Shin Sang-woo.

The North Korea Nam Ja-chuk-gu (CEO) team also enters the group stage. North Korea is in the same group as China (16th), the United Arab Emirates (UAE·20th), and Iran (23rd) and aims to advance to the tournament round.

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*This content was translated by AI.