The Japanese government yesterday said it would not send representatives to the Beijing Olympics as it called on China to respect human rights and the rule of law.
Government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno did not describe the move as a diplomatic boycott which has been announced by the US and others but said there were “no plans” for officials to attend the Games.
“Japan believes it is important that common values shared by the international community, such as freedom, human rights and the rule of law, are also respected in China,” he said. “As Tokyo 2020 demonstrated to the world, the
INFORMAL BOYCOTT: The decision not to send a delegation followed talks with the Chinese side on human rights issues ‘at various levels,’ a government spokesman said/ AFP, TOKYO
Amid global call for a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics, China on Friday urged Japan to take concrete actions to honour its word on supporting each other in hosting the Olympics and on not politicizing sports.
China hopes Japan will not politicize sports: FM spokesperson-Xinhua chinaview.cn - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chinaview.cn Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.