North Korean athletes participated at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games ©Getty Images

A seven-strong North Korean team is expected to participate at the Asian Winter Games beginning in Sapporo next week after special permission was given by the Japanese Government.

North Korean citizens are usually banned from entering Japan as part of sanctions introduced in response to a series of nuclear weapons tests and rocket launches.

According to Kyodo News, all attending officials will be requested to submit identification and documents detailing the background of all those involved. 

Similar criteria was put in place last year to allow the North Korean women's football team to compete in Asian qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

"It is important to differentiate between politics and sport," a Japanese Foreign Office official told the news agency.

“We will admit their entry, if the necessary documents are submitted."

North Korean ice hockey players pictured competing at the last edition of the Asian Winter Games in Almaty in 2011 ©Getty Images
North Korean ice hockey players pictured competing at the last edition of the Asian Winter Games in Almaty in 2011 ©Getty Images

According to Chosun Sinbo, the North Korean team is expected to consist of two figure skaters and five short-track speed skaters.

They will form part of an overall delegation of around 20 which are expected to arrive via China.

Figure skaters Thae Won-hyok and Ri Ji-hyang won men's pairs bronze at the 2011 Asian Winter Games in Astana.

North Korea also participated in speed skating, short track and women's ice hockey competitions in Kazakhstan.

Five sports, 11 disciplines and 64 events are due to be contested at the Games, which are due to continue to take place from Sunday (February 19) to 26.

Athletes from Australia and New Zealand are due to compete alongside Asian countries for the first time, although they will not be eligible to win medals.