Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Asian Games Open in Japan Amid Scale, Spectacle and Controversy
The Asian Games are a very large sports event in Japan.
More than 11,000 athletes are expected to compete.
They come from 45 countries and regions.
There are 43 different sports, including unusual games such as kabaddi and sepaktakraw.
Some competitions started before the opening ceremony because there are so many events.
Japan is hosting the Games in and around Nagoya.
Athletes have complained that some rooms and beds are too small and that some wooden lodgings leak.
There were also disagreements involving a national anthem and Taiwan’s sports minister.
The opening ceremony included music, a heart-shaped stage and a parade of athletes.
The 16-day Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday.
At least 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions are competing in 43 sports.
Basketball and soccer began before the official opening because of the packed schedule.
The program includes Olympic sports alongside kurash, kabaddi, sepaktakraw, padel, teqball and esports.
Organizers faced complaints about athlete housing and two diplomatic incidents before the ceremony.
- Who
- At least 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions, along with Japanese organizers and Asian sports officials, are participating.
- What
- The 16-day Asian Games officially opened, featuring competition in 43 sports.
- When
- The opening ceremony took place on Saturday; basketball began on Sept. 10 and soccer started earlier than the ceremony.
- Where
- Nagoya, Japan, with venues spread across the metropolitan area.
- Why
- The event brings athletes from across Asia together for competition, but its crowded schedule required some sports to begin before the official opening.
Organizers’ Position
Athletes’ and Affected Delegations’ Concerns
Athlete housing
Organizers’ Position
Japanese organizers avoided building a dedicated athletes’ village and arranged lodging on a cruise ship, in hotels and in converted wooden containers, reflecting efforts to limit spending.
Athletes’ and Affected Delegations’ Concerns
Athletes complained that beds and rooms were too small, while some reported leaks in the wooden lodging; the spread-out venues could also create logistical problems.
National anthem incident
Organizers’ Position
The Asian Games proceeded with the standard ceremonies and protocols, but organizers treated the playing of North Korea’s anthem during a South Korea-Bangladesh field hockey match as an incident reported before the opening.
Athletes’ and Affected Delegations’ Concerns
South Korean players stood at attention and appeared bewildered when North Korea’s anthem was played during their match.
Taiwanese official’s access
Organizers’ Position
The Olympic Council of Asia attributed Taiwan sports minister Lee Yang’s temporary exclusion from a welcoming ceremony to a misunderstanding and later allowed him to participate.
Athletes’ and Affected Delegations’ Concerns
Lee Yang was temporarily barred from the ceremony involving Taiwan and several other delegations, and the explanation did not fully clarify why.
- Host
- Japan
- Estimated athletes
- At least 11,000
- Participating delegations
- 45 countries and regions
- Sports
- 43
- Event length
- 16 days
- Largest delegation
- Japan, with 933 athletes
- Previous medal leader
- China won 201 gold medals at the 2023 Asian Games
- Opening ceremony theme
- “Harmonic Heart Beat”