Japan and South Korea agreed Thursday to issue multiple-entry visas valid through 2002 to executive board members of FIFA, soccer's world governing body, to facilitate preparations for the 2002 World Cup finals, to be jointly hosted by the two countries.
Tokyo and Seoul also agreed during a one-day meeting in Tokyo among consular authorities to issue similar visas, good between May and July 2002, for players, coaches and team officials, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.
The tournament is scheduled to kick off on May 31 and the final match is scheduled for June 30. It is the first time for more than one country to host the quadrennial competition.
Yoshihara to Gamba
Gamba Osaka has signed Japan under-23 striker Kota Yoshihara on a full contract from newly promoted J-1 club Consadole Sapporo, Gamba officials said Friday.
Yoshihara, 22, joined Gamba on loan last February in a swap involving Japan under-20 squad member Ryuji Bando after scoring nine goals in Japan's Asian qualifying campaign for the Sydney Olympics.
Meanwhile, Gamba midfielder Toru Araiba damaged ligaments in his left knee during training on Friday and is expected to be out of action for at least three weeks, officials of the J. League first-division club said.