Ahead of Olympics, smoking ban faces obstacles in Japan

South Koreans expressed frustration on Wednesday (February 9) after seeing their traditional costume used in last week's Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing, but the Chinese Embassy in South Korea defended the use. A woman wearing what appeared to be a Korean hanbok dress was among those representing China's different ethnic groups during the ceremony. Some South Koreans have complained about recent Chinese assertions that various aspects of Korean culture are of Chinese origin.

Jamaica has a four-man bobsled team in the Olympics for the first time since 1998. Too young to witness the famous 1988 team but big fans of "Cool Runnings," this year's team wants to add to Jamaica's bobsled legacy.

Mourners flocked to the site where Japan's former prime minister was shot. Shinzo Abe's body has been moved to Tokyo from Nara, where he was attacked while giving a speech.

A German former world-class high diver has said he was sexually abused by his coach over a period of several years. Jan Hempel said the abuse continued even after he had informed the national swimming federation.

Eleven Israeli athletes and a policeman were assassinated by Palestinian terrorists during the Olympic Games that began in Munich on August 26,1972. Germany is still struggling to come to terms with the events.

Japan is the only G7 country which does not recognise same-sex unions. But this week, its capital Tokyo began rolling out a partnership certificate scheme. It allows same-sex couples to be treated as married couples for certain public services, this for the first time. Those services include housing, medicine and welfare.

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy told IOC chief Thomas Bach that Kyiv wanted Russia's "complete isolation." The US has backed exploring the possibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under a neutral banner.

Although Japan is the only G7 country where same-sex marriages are illegal, there have recently been some positive changes for the LGBT community. Last November, Tokyo's metropolitan government introduced partnership certificates that entitle gay couples to certain public services that were once reserved for straight couples.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is in Tokyo this weekend for German-Japanese intergovernmental consultations. The two countries have recognized that they share economic and strategic interests. DW's Nina Haase reports from Tokyo.

Jake Adelstein, the author of Tokyo Vice and the creator of its television series, has released a new book that delves deeper into his experiences in Japan. Tokyo Detective follows Adelstein's life as a private detective in the country, investigating the mafia who have evolved into legitimate businessmen.

Texas man Eric Lira has pleaded guilty to supplying performance-enhancing drugs to Olympic athletes. Under The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, US authorities can prosecute those they believe conducted criminal acts. This can be anyone involved in "doping schemes for the purpose of influencing international sports competitions.

French sprinter Halba Diouf, 21, dreams of participating at the 2024 Olympic Games. The athlete defines herself as a transgender Muslim woman and doesn't accept being banned from elite competitions.