Table Tennis Diplomacy that Brought the Koreas Together

Ogimura Ichirō. (Courtesy of ITS Mitaka Table Tennis Club)

Sweden, a powerhouse in the sport thanks in part to Ogimura’s help, hosted this year’s World Team Table Tennis Championships. Japan’s Hirano Miu plays against her Chinese opponent at the April–May 2018 tournament. (© Chiba Itaru/Aflo)

Ogimura Ichirō playing at the World Team Table Tennis Championships. (Courtesy of ITS Mitaka Table Tennis Club)

Ogimura Ichirō and Zhang Zedong. (Courtesy of ITS Mitaka Table Tennis Club)

The unified Korea team beat the Chinese women’s team to win the team championship at the World Table Tennis Championship at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, in 1991. The white flag depicting the Korean peninsula in blue rises along the center pole. (© Jiji Press)