Japanese, S. Korean Lawmakers Play Soccer to Strengthen Ties

July 3, 2018

Tokyo- Lawmakers from Japan and South Korea played soccer in Tokyo on Monday to enhance friendship between the two sides.

A total of about 60 lawmakers took to a soccer pitch under a blazing sun. The match ended in a scoreless draw. This was the 11th match between lawmakers from the two Asian nations.

Participants from Japan included members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, its Komeito ally, the major opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Japanese Communist Party, also an opposition party.

"It was nice as we had a exciting match in the scorching heat," said Seishiro Eto of the LDP, who heads a league of Japanese lawmakers promoting diplomacy through soccer. "I hope the Japanese national soccer team will also show great teamwork at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia," he added. Jiji Press