Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Hashimoto Acknowledges Asian Games Problems, Highlights Lessons and Successes
The Japanese Olympic Committee’s leader, Seiko Hashimoto, said the Asian Games had many problems.
Athletes stayed in hotels, temporary container homes and a cruise ship instead of one big Athletes’ Village.
Some people criticized the cramped lodging, while Hashimoto also said some visitors enjoyed the cruise ship and its hospitality.
She said these new ways of housing people might help other places host big sports events.
Typhoons and heavy rain also caused changes and difficulties.
Hashimoto said Japan should learn from what went wrong and prepare better next time.
Japan won more medals at these Games than it had at any previous Asian Games.
China won more medals than Japan.
Japanese Olympic Committee chief Seiko Hashimoto acknowledged serious problems at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games while saying criticism did not capture the full experience.
Without a traditional Athletes’ Village, about 17,000 athletes and officials were housed in hotels, container accommodations and a cruise ship; some participants reported cramped conditions.
Hashimoto said cruise-ship and transportable-container lodging were cost-cutting approaches that could offer possibilities for future international events.
Typhoons and heavy rain disrupted schedules, including events in equestrian and rowing; Hashimoto said organisers should learn to anticipate and prepare for such challenges.
Japan recorded its highest-ever Asian Games medal total, exceeding 250 medals and 75 gold, while finishing behind China.
- Who
- Seiko Hashimoto, chief of the Japanese Olympic Committee, and organisers of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
- What
- Hashimoto acknowledged problems with accommodation and event operations, defended the Games’ broader experience, and said organisers should learn from the challenges.
- When
- Hashimoto spoke on Saturday during the Games, which officially began on September 19 and were due to end on Sunday.
- Where
- Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- Why
- The Games faced accommodation and logistical difficulties, weather disruptions and late additions of sports; Hashimoto said reviewing these issues could improve future hosting.
Criticism and concerns
Positive experiences and future potential
Accommodation arrangements
Criticism and concerns
The decision not to build a traditional Athletes’ Village contributed to logistical chaos, and some participants described the lodgings as cramped.
Positive experiences and future potential
Hashimoto said some people enjoyed staying on the cruise ship, including its food and hospitality, and argued that criticism was not the whole story.
Cost-cutting experiments
Criticism and concerns
The alternative lodging arrangements were associated with problems during the Games.
Positive experiences and future potential
Hashimoto said cruise ships and transportable containers could provide possible cost-conscious models for future international competitions.
- Organising body
- Japanese Olympic Committee
- JOC chief
- Seiko Hashimoto
- Athletes and officials accommodated
- About 17,000
- Accommodation used
- Hotels, temporary container-type lodgings and a cruise ship
- Reported weather effects
- Typhoons and heavy rain prompted schedule changes and caused difficulties
- Japan's medal result
- More than 250 medals, including more than 75 gold; its highest Asian Games total
- China's medal result
- More than 325 medals, including 165 gold; ahead of Japan
