Japan won’t send a government delegation to Beijing Winter Olympics
The move stops short of joining a US-led diplomatic boycott of the Games, but one nonetheless likely to deepen tension with China
24 December 2021 - 07:49
byDaniel Leussink and David Dolan
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Tokyo — Japan will not send a government delegation to next year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing, it said on Friday, a move that stops short of joining a US-led diplomatic boycott of the Games, but one nonetheless likely to deepen tension with China.
The boycott, driven by Washington and including some of its allies, has become another delicate issue for Japan, a close partner of the US that also has strong economic ties to China.
Tokyo will not send a government delegation to the Games set to start in February, chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a news briefing.
Instead, it will send some officials with direct ties to the Games, including politician Seiko Hashimoto, head of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, as well as the heads of the domestic Olympic and Paralympic committees.
The diplomatic boycott by the US and other countries stems from concerns about human rights in China, but Japan has taken a softer tone on the issue.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has faced rising pressure within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party to take a tougher stance on China, public broadcaster NHK said.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Japan won’t send a government delegation to Beijing Winter Olympics
The move stops short of joining a US-led diplomatic boycott of the Games, but one nonetheless likely to deepen tension with China
Tokyo — Japan will not send a government delegation to next year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing, it said on Friday, a move that stops short of joining a US-led diplomatic boycott of the Games, but one nonetheless likely to deepen tension with China.
The boycott, driven by Washington and including some of its allies, has become another delicate issue for Japan, a close partner of the US that also has strong economic ties to China.
Tokyo will not send a government delegation to the Games set to start in February, chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a news briefing.
Instead, it will send some officials with direct ties to the Games, including politician Seiko Hashimoto, head of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, as well as the heads of the domestic Olympic and Paralympic committees.
The diplomatic boycott by the US and other countries stems from concerns about human rights in China, but Japan has taken a softer tone on the issue.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has faced rising pressure within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party to take a tougher stance on China, public broadcaster NHK said.
Reuters
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