Abe awards Japanese Olympians, Paralympians for performance in Pyeongchang

TOKYO -- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on April 26 presented letters of appreciation to 95 medalists and top performers who represented Japan at the Pyeongchang Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Among those Abe called to his office were figure skating superstar Yuzuru Hanyu and speed skating gold medalists Nao Kodaira, Nana Takagi and Miho Takagi.

"You impressed and encouraged many people," the prime minister said in a speech to the participants.

Yoshihiro Nitta, who won gold and silver medals in cross-country skiing at the Paralympic Games, told reporters, "I thought once more about how a lot of people supported me."

(Japanese original by Shu Furukawa, Political News Department)