Japan's ice stars hope to shine in Harbin

Harada sees the Beijing Winter Olympics as a turning point, not only for its world-class facilities, but also for the support it provided to athletes, allowing them to perform at their best.

"The success of the Beijing Winter Olympics made me believe that winter sports could experience a significant transformation," Harada said. "I was confident that winter sports in China would continue to thrive."

Harada, who has helped Japan host the Sapporo and Nagano Winter Olympics and multiple Asian Winter Games, believes this experience has garnered global attention and fostered a culture of support for winter sports in Japan, contributing to their growing popularity.

"The development of infrastructure and venues not only ensured the success of the events, but also laid a solid foundation for the future training of athletes," he noted. "Japan's rise in winter sports is built on this history."

Harada also highlighted the significance of regional competitions like the Asian Winter Games, noting that while the Olympics are the ultimate stage, the collaboration between nations is a significant achievement.

"China's natural advantage in ice and snow resources is clear," he said. "I hope we can work together across Asia to share experiences and promote winter sports."