Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Japan Unveils Local Athlete Billboards Ahead of Asian Games
Japan is putting up large advertisements for its Asian Games athletes.
The advertisements are being placed near the athletes’ schools, train stations, and hometowns.
Some signs show athletes’ records or personal stories.
Haruka Kitaguchi has a very large sign about her javelin throw.
Akane Yamaguchi’s sign highlights how she became successful at a young age.
Other signs ask questions aimed at students from the athletes’ former schools.
The broadcaster says the campaign is meant to help local communities cheer for Japan’s team.
The Asian Games start on September 16.
Japan’s Asian Games broadcaster has installed personalized athlete advertisements at 20 locations nationwide.
Haruka Kitaguchi’s 67.38-meter javelin record appears on a giant billboard at Asahikawa-Yojo Station.
Akane Yamaguchi, Tomoka Miyazaki, and other athletes have ads near schools, stations, and hometown communities.
The displays use local references and messages aimed at students and residents familiar with the athletes.
The campaign seeks to build excitement for the Asian Games, which begin September 16 in Japan.
- Who
- Japan’s national team athletes and the event’s official live broadcaster, TBS.
- What
- A campaign has installed personalized billboards and other advertisements featuring Japanese athletes ahead of the Asian Games.
- When
- The displays were installed ahead of the Asian Games, which begin September 16; exact display dates were announced but not specified in the article.
- Where
- At 20 locations across Japan, including areas near athletes’ schools, train stations, bus stops, and hometown communities.
- Why
- To encourage local support for Japan’s athletes and build excitement for the Asian Games hosted in Japan.
- Campaign scale
- Advertisements were displayed at 20 locations connected to Japanese athletes.
- Javelin billboard
- Haruka Kitaguchi’s billboard at JR Hokkaido Asahikawa-Yojo Station is 67.38 meters high, according to the article.
- Kitaguchi’s record
- Her 67.38-meter national record was later surpassed by a 68.92-meter throw at the Ultimate World Athletics event in Budapest.
- Featured athletes
- The campaign includes Akane Yamaguchi, Tomoka Miyazaki, Yuki Fukushima, Yuki Joseph Nakajima, Rachid Muratake, Rikako Ikee, and Tomokazu Harimoto.
- Asian Games start
- The event begins September 16.
- Asian Games scale
- The article says approximately 45 countries and regions are expected to participate across 43 sports and 469 events.
- Host setting
- The Games are being promoted as Japan’s first hosting of the event in 32 years.