Govt May Consider Honoring Olympic Gold Skaters Hanyu, Kodaira

Tokyo, Feb. 19 (Jiji Press)--Some government officials hinted at the possibility Monday of considering giving the People's Honor Award to Pyeongchang Olympic gold medalists Yuzuru Hanyu and Nao Kodaira. "Various people told me that the government should honor the skaters," a senior official said. "I'm going to propose (granting the national award to Hanyu and Kodaira) at an internal meeting," another official said. The award was created in 1977 to honor those who are widely loved by the Japanese people and have made remarkable achievements in providing society with bright hope. Since then, 25 individuals and one group have been awarded. Hanyu became the first figure skater in 66 years to win men's singles gold medal for the second straight Olympics, and Kodaira won women's 500-meter race to become the first-ever Japanese female speed skater to earn an Olympic gold medal. Some other officials, however, voiced opposition to the move, saying it may lead to a decline in the value of the national award. Since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe launched his second administration in 2012, as many as six people have already received the honor, the officials pointed out. The most recent recipients are shogi master Yoshiharu Habu and Go champion Yuta Iyama. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference on Monday that the government has yet to even decide whether to have award discussions for the two skaters. END