Standing 1.9 metres tall, Inoki was a pioneer of mixed martial arts in Japan. Photo: Toru YAMANAKA / AFP/FileSource: AFPFlamboyant Japanese professional wrestler turned politician Antonio Inoki died Saturday aged 79, local media reported. He travelled to Iraq prior to the 1990 Gulf War to gain the release of Japanese hostages. Asked about them at the time, the then chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga pointedly reminded journalists that Tokyo had a travel ban in place for North Korea, urging the politician to "act appropriately". However, Japanese television news provided blanket coverage of Inoki's trip and the visits continued to prompt interest, given the lack of details leaking out about life in North Korea.

Source: The Star October 01, 2022 04:43 UTC