The 20th Asian Games commenced in Japan on September 10 with the men’s basketball tournament opening the competition ahead of the official ceremony scheduled for September 19. The event is taking place primarily in Aichi Prefecture, centered around Nagoya, and will run until October 4. Over 17,000 athletes and officials from approximately 45 countries and regions are expected to participate across 43 sports, making it one of the largest multi-sport events in the world, with a larger contingent than the Olympic Games.
The first basketball game featured Qatar defeating Iran 59-53 in a Group B match at Nagoya’s Aichi International Arena. Qatar overcame a strong comeback attempt by Iran after leading by as much as 20 points earlier in the game. Michael Lewis, a U.S.-born player representing Qatar, led his team with 21 points and emphasized the team's need to win at least one game to progress to the next round. Later in the day, Japan won decisively against Indonesia 98-53 in Group A, with Kazuma Tsuya scoring 23 points.
The basketball competition will continue with medal finals set for September 20, the day following the opening ceremony. Other Group B games include Taiwan’s narrow 83-80 victory over Jordan. Upcoming matches for Qatar include games against Jordan and Chinese Taipei.
Several sports, including basketball, football, cricket, hockey, and modern pentathlon, have started before the official opening, allowing early competition ahead of the formal start of the Games. Among the notable athletes participating are Philippine tennis player Alexandra Eala, 15-year-old Indian cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and 13-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi.
Organizers have arranged a variety of accommodations aiming to provide a unique experience for participants, ranging from hotels and wooden container units to even a cruise ship docked at Nagoya Port. Despite Japan’s typhoon season normally occurring during this period, officials remain confident that weather conditions will not significantly disrupt the Games. Nonetheless, there have been weather-related challenges, including record rainfall on September 8 that forced the temporary evacuation of hundreds of athletes and caused rainwater to leak into some venues. More wet weather is forecast as the event progresses.
Security preparations for the Games have been extensive, with approximately 10,000 police officers deployed for the opening ceremony. This includes special units dispatched nationwide and coordination with the Japan Coast Guard, particularly for areas around the Paloma Mizuho Stadium where the ceremony will be held. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are expected to attend the opening, which will be subject to new drone regulations banning flights within a 1-kilometer radius of the venue and the imperial accommodations. The authorities have also established a security center incorporating artificial intelligence to monitor and counter potential lone-wolf attacks, addressing concerns from social media and other intelligence sources.
Countries such as North Korea and Iran are participating in the Games, underscoring the event's role as a significant platform for continental sports and diplomacy. The Asian Games’ return to Japan marks the first time since 1994 that the country has hosted the event.