Rugby Sevens Is Added To Japan's List Of Sports Cancellations Amidst Political Tension

Japan has pulled out of the second leg of the Asian Sevens Series in Shanghai "amid a worsening political crisis over disputed islands with China," according to Sudipto Ganguly of REUTERS. The Japan Rugby Football Union has decided against making the weekend trip to Shanghai. Coach Tomohiro Segawa said, "We've been training hard to try to win the competition, so this is disappointing." The news follows recent sports cancellations in football, badminton, table tennis and a triathlon race (REUTERS, 9/20). However, REUTERS' Patrick Johnston also reported that Japan's tennis No. 1 Kei Nishikori will play in the Shanghai Masters next month "despite his country's political row with China" (REUTERS, 9/20).