Society

Belarus sprinter: Punishment awaits her at home

Aug 04 (NHK) - A Belarusian sprinter who refused to return home from the Tokyo Olympics has told the Associated Press that officials from her country made it clear that she would face punishment if she did so.

Krystsina Tsimanouskaya told NHK on Sunday that her coaches tried to force her back to Belarus after she complained on social media about being ordered to compete in an event she had not been scheduled for. She said her comments were seen as criticizing the Belarusian government.

In an online interview with the AP on Tuesday, she said she wants to continue her sporting career because she is still only 24 years old. She added she had planned to take part in at least two more Olympics.

A Polish foreign ministry official tweeted on Monday that Poland had granted a humanitarian visa to Tsimanouskaya.

The athlete is now believed to be in protective custody at the Polish Embassy in Tokyo.

Poland's Ambassador to Japan Pawel Milewski posted a photo of him and the athlete together on Twitter on Tuesday. The tweet reads, "She is doing well and thanks us all for extending a helping hand against those who do not wish her well."

Tsimanouskaya is expected to leave Japan for Poland in the near future.

Osaka Police End 14-Hour Siege

Police in Osaka arrested a 48-year-old man on October 22nd after a tense 14-hour standoff in which he allegedly held a woman at knifepoint inside an apartment. A special tactical unit forced entry into the residence late at night, ending the standoff without injuries.

Imperial Family Pays Tribute to War Victims

The Emperor, Empress, and their daughter Princess Aiko visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall in Sumida Ward on Thursday afternoon, marking their first visit to the site as Japan observes the 80th year since the end of World War II. They were greeted upon arrival by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and other officials.

First Snow Caps Mount Fuji, 15 Days Earlier Than Last Year

The Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory announced on October 23rd that the season’s first snow had been observed on Mount Fuji, which stands 3,776 meters tall. Around 6 a.m., an official visually confirmed that snow had clearly accumulated near the summit.

Tokyo’s Aging Expressway Reborn After Major Overhaul

After nearly a decade of construction, the newly rebuilt Haneda Line of the Metropolitan Expressway, one of Tokyo’s key arteries linking the city center with Haneda Airport, has been unveiled to the media ahead of its official switch to a new road on October 29th.

New Cabinet Takes On 'Takaichi Color'

The newly launched Takaichi Cabinet moved into full operation on October 22nd, with early personnel decisions revealing a clear conservative tone. Satsuki Katayama was appointed as finance minister and Kimi Onoda as minister in charge of foreign resident policy, underscoring what observers are calling the emergence of a distinct “Takaichi color.”

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