N.Korea sports minister arrives in Japan

North Korea's sports minister has arrived in Japan ahead of the Asian Games opening in Nagoya City on Saturday. It is believed to be the first visit by a North Korean minister in about eight years.

A plane carrying Kim Il Guk touched down at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Thursday.

On arrival, Kim shook hands with officials of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan. About 80 people including students from Korea University greeted him at the airport's exit.

He had previously visited Japan in November 2018 as president of North Korea's national Olympic committee to attend a meeting of Olympic committee members from other countries.

Japan denies entry to North Koreans in principle as part of its sanctions against Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. Exceptions are made for athletes and others to take part in international competitions.

North Korea is expected to send its largest ever sporting contingent of some 180 people to Japan for the Asian Games. The athletes have reportedly been arriving in the country in several groups since September 11. North Korea will compete across 15 sports.