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Skating star Yuzuru Hanyu voices hope for better Japan-China ties

REUTERS/Issei Kato
Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu holds flowers as he attends a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China in Tokyo on Thursday.

Jiji Press

13:36 JST, September 30, 2022

TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Japanese figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu, who has a celebrity status in China as well, has voiced his wish to contribute to building a better Japan-China ties.

“I’d like to be of help in allowing Japan and China to be in a much better relationship,” the 27-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist said when he made an appearance as a special guest at an event held in Tokyo on Thursday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two Asian nations.

“Let us work together (to build) the next 50 years,” he added.

Hanyu finished fourth in the men’s singles figure skating competition at the Beijing Winter Olympics held this February. He retired from competition and turned professional in July.

He thanked fans in China for cheering him on at the Winter Games, saying, “Your cheers gave me a supportive push.”

Hanyu said he will continue to take on challenges, including successfully landing a quad axel jump.

AP Photo/Hiro Komae
Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, left, shows off his figure skating turn as he and erhu player Zhang Hina leave the stage at the beginning of an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of normalizing relations of Japan and China, in Tokyo, on Thursday.

REUTERS/Issei Kato
Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu receives flowers and gifts during a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China in Tokyo on Thursday.

AP Photo/Hiro Komae
Chinese Japanese Erhu player Zhang Hina, from left, Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu and violinist Ikuko Kawai pose for a photo with other performers before an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of normalizing relations of Japan and China, in Tokyo on Thursday.

REUTERS/Issei Kato
Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu reacts during a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China in Tokyo on Thursday.

REUTERS/Issei Kato
Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, erhu player Zhang Hina, violinist Ikuko Kawai, gagaku musician Hideki Togi and erhu player Zhang Bin attend a photo session before the ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China in Tokyo on Thursday.

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