Society

Rikako Ikee to return to competition this month

Aug 12 (Japan Times) - Swimmer Rikako Ikee, who went public with her leukemia diagnosis in February of last year, will return to competition at a Tokyo meet to be held later this month, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday.

The 20-year-old Nihon University student will compete in the women’s 50-meter freestyle at a meet sanctioned by the Tokyo Swimming Association to be held Aug. 29 at the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center, according to the sources.

Ikee was considered a contender for multiple medals at the now-postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but she was forced to put all swimming-related activities on hold to focus on treatment following her diagnosis.

Ikee revealed that she has acute lymphatic leukemia, and she has not competed in a race since January 2019.

Last month, Ikee gave the media online access to one of her training sessions, and said that she was eyeing a comeback at the Japan intercollegiate championships in early October.

Ishiba Shigeru elected LDP leader

Ishiba Shigeru has been elected leader of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The former LDP Secretary-General is now virtually assured of becoming the next prime minister. (NHK)

Hakamada Case Ends With Acquittal After 58 Years

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Japan launches information-gathering satellite on H2A rocket

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Over 300 New Geoglyphs Discovered by Yamagata University in Nazca

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