Japan’s Reputation As A Reliable Host Of Major International Events Has Come Under Scrutiny

Japan’s reputation as a reliable host of major international events has come under scrutiny following organisational problems at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya and the wider Aichi Prefecture.

The Games, which attracted more than 17,000 athletes and officials, were affected by accommodation shortages, transport failures and diplomatic blunders, prompting criticism from participating delegations and raising questions about Japan’s ability to organise major sporting competitions. The problems began before the opening ceremony, when athletes and officials complained about inadequate accommodation and the quality of temporary housing provided by organisers. In a bid to cut costs, the organisers abandoned plans for a traditional athletes’ village, opting instead to accommodate participants in hotels, temporary container-style units and a cruise ship. However, the number of participants reportedly increased by about 2,000 beyond the original provision for 15,000 delegation members, placing additional pressure on the city’s accommodation capacity. Organisers initially told some of the additional participants to arrange their own accommodation before reversing the decision and promising suitable lodging for all delegations. Some athletes complained that the temporary units were cramped, with beds too short for taller competitors to sleep comfortably. The accommodation difficulties were accompanied by transport failures, with some athletes reportedly stranded at airports for hours or taken by buses to the wrong venues. The Games also experienced several incidents involving national symbols and diplomatic protocol. At a men’s field hockey match involving South Korea, organisers mistakenly played North Korea’s national anthem instead of South Korea’s, prompting an official apology. During the men’s football gold-medal ceremony, South Korea’s national flag was not raised properly. Taiwan’s sports minister was also temporarily prevented from attending a flag-raising event. The incidents generated criticism among participating delegations and on social media, where some commentators called for a full investigation into the organisation of the Games.Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa, who also held a senior role in the organising committee, apologised for the inconveniences experienced by athletes and officials. He acknowledged that mistakes and poor communication had contributed to the problems. Attention has also turned to GL Events’ Japanese subsidiary, the company contracted to manage venue operations for the Games. The company secured a contract worth 63 billion yen, reportedly offering a substantially lower price than competing providers.Japan’s Dentsu Group, which has extensive experience managing major sporting events, had been excluded from the bidding process following a criminal conviction linked to bid-rigging. Japanese media subsequently questioned whether cost-cutting during recruitment left the event contractor without enough experienced personnel to manage unexpected problems. There were also allegations that some recruited workers had not received adequate training.However, the organising committee’s deputy director general, Takaaki Omi, defended the contractor’s experience, noting its involvement in international sporting events, including the Paris Olympics.Kozo Tomiyama, a professor at Osaka University who studies major sporting events, cautioned against blaming the contractor alone. He argued that the scope of responsibility assigned to the company and the organisers’ supervision of its work also required scrutiny. GL Events did not respond to repeated Despite the organisational challenges, the Games produced significant sporting performances. Olympic Council of Asia Director General Husain al-Musallam pointed to 54 new records in swimming, weightlifting and shooting as evidence of the event’s sporting achievements.He argued that athletes’ performances depended on the quality of accommodation, transportation and other facilities provided by organisers. Nevertheless, the operational problems have raised concerns about the potential impact on Japan’s international reputation and its ambitions to host future major sporting competitions. Experts have warned that the incidents could undermine confidence in the country’s event-management capabilities if lessons are not learned. The difficulties have also continued into the Asian Para Games, where further mistakes involving national anthems were reported. Hirosawa described the incidents as unacceptable and apologised. Japan has previously hosted major events, including the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, and is widely associated with high standards of organisation and hospitality. The experience in Aichi-Nagoya has highlighted the importance of realistic planning, adequate staffing, effective coordination and contingency arrangements when hosting competitions involving thousands of international participants. Experts say the organisers’ response to the failures and their willingness to address shortcomings will be important in determining whether Japan can restore confidence ahead of future international events.