japan running news

http://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/general/track/news/20090109k0000m040139000c.html translated by Brett Larner Marathon runner Joseph Maura Kamau (21) was deported back to Kenya from the Nagoya Immigration Prison on Jan. 9 after being found guilty of violating the terms of his athlete visa status. Following his forced departure from Chubu International Airport Kamau's supporters expressed his wish to someday return to Japan. Kamau came to Japan in 2003 on an athlete visa to compete in marathons and ekidens for a professional jitsugyodan team,* but in 2007 he was fired from the team following a leg injury. Kamau was taken in and supported by a small company in Nagoya where he was able to recover and resume practicing. However, in October, 2008 he was arrested by the Immigration Bureau and jailed in the Nagoya Immigration Prison. Immigration authorities successfully argued that Kamau's absence from racing indicated that he was no longer a competitive athlete and was merely working in...

http://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/national/news/CK2008101602000270.html translated by Brett Larner update: I've received some inquiries about how to help Munyi and Kamau since posting this article yesterday. Please contact Takahide Watanabe of the Owari Asahi Running Club . The club's message board discussion about the situation here , and a copy of the documents Watanabe has filed with the Immigration Bureau protesting the Kenyans' pending imprisonment and outlining their legitimacy as runners is here . Fired by their sponsoring jitsugyodan teams after sustaining injuries and given shelter by a sympathetic small independent local car parts manufacturer, two elite Kenyan runners living in Nagoya were arrested early this month and imprisoned in the Nagoya Immigration Violation Detention Center. The two are facing deportation, but a group of local supporters is attempting to fight the Immigration Bureau's action, saying, "These two men are truly talented athletes ...