Overview

• North Korea told the Aichi–Nagoya organizers it intends to send a 260–270 member contingent, including about 150 athletes across 17 sports.
• Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government is considering the request through consultations across ministries.
• Japan has barred North Korean nationals from entry since 2016 over nuclear and missile programs, with limited sports exceptions granted for football qualifiers in early 2024.
• The organizing committee plans a briefing for delegation chiefs next week, and reports indicate Pyongyang may dispatch a Japan-based national to that meeting.
• The team size is described as unusually large for Japan, and no decision has been announced for the Games scheduled for Sept. 19 to Oct. 4, 2026.