An official ceremony was held here on Saturday to welcome athletes from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) competing at the eighth Asian Winter Games.

The athletes, including five short track speed skaters and two figure skaters, received a formal welcome at the Minami Ward Gymnasium, one day after they arrived at the host city.

The DPRK delegation entered Japan as an exception to Japan's ongoing policy of barring the entry of the DPRK citizens into the country.

Last year Japan also made an exception and allowed entry of the DPRK women's soccer team for the final Asian qualifying round for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

The eighth Asian Winter Games will be held in Sapporo and Obihiro during Feb. 19-26. There will be five sports, 11 disciplines and 64 events, and 31 delegations are expected to take part.

The DPRK also participated in the 7th Asian Winter Games held in Kazakhstan in 2011 and won a bronze medal in figure skating.

source: Xinhua