Flamboyant Japanese wrestler-turned-politician Kanji "Antonio" Inoki kicked off his brand of sports diplomacy in North Korea today ahead of an unusual two-day event featuring martial artists from around the world.
Inoki, 71, an opposition member of Japan's upper house with a penchant for red scarves, has travelled to the reclusive state with a host of international fighters in an attempt to use sport to thaw relations between Tokyo and Pyongyang.
He met with North Korea's ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-Nam on today, hours before the first night of the "International Pro Wrestling Festival" kicks off at Pyongyang's 20,000-seat Ryugyong Jong Ju-Yong Stadium, Japanese media reported from the North Korean capital.
Kim presides over North Korea's parliament, the Supreme People's Assembly, and often receives state guests or credentials from foreign ambassadors -- an indication of how seriously Pyongyang is taking Inoki's visit.
"I feel very grateful for your continuous efforts to promote mutual understanding between the two countries and create an environment toward improvement in Korea-Japan relations," the 86-year-old Kim told Inoki at the Mansudae Assembly Hall, Kyodo news agency reported.
There was no indication whether supreme leader Kim Jong-Un, who is a keen sports fan, will appear at the martial arts event as he did in January when former US basketball star Dennis Rodman sang "Happy Birthday" to him before an exhibition game, Kyodo said.
Inoki, who stands 1.9 metres tall, has organised the festival with North Korea's authorities, taking along 21 grapplers from Japan, the United States, France and Brazil as well as one from China, North Korea's communist ally.
They include Bob Sapp, a former American mixed martial artist who has become a household name in Japan, Jerome Le Banner of France and Brazilian Montanha Silva.
More than 50 Japanese package tourists have also arrived for the event, Kyodo said.
When Inoki and his entourage arrived in Pyongyang via Beijing on Thursday, he held talks with Kang Sok-Ju, a key figure in North Korea's diplomatic circles and a secretary of the Workers Party.
North Korea's high-profile treatment of Inoki seems to indicate its readiness to improve ties with Japan, public broadcaster NHK said.
