The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have encountered significant organizational challenges shortly after their commencement, drawing criticism over errors such as incorrect national anthems being played and accommodation difficulties for participating athletes. These issues have raised concerns about Japan’s capability to effectively host large-scale international sporting events.

A major incident occurred on September 18 during a men’s field hockey match between South Korea and Bangladesh, when the North Korean national anthem was mistakenly played instead of South Korea’s. The error sparked immediate outrage, prompting the South Korean delegation to formally protest and demand an explanation. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) received an official apology from the event organizers later that same day.

At a press conference, Takaaki Omi, a representative of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC), acknowledged the mistake, attributing it to the use of a single terminal containing all participating countries’ national anthem audio files, which was operated incorrectly. Omi assured that future precautions would include limiting stored anthems to only those required for each event and conducting stringent verification prior to ceremonies.

Accommodation issues further marred the games, notably on September 16 when members of the Thai delegation were reportedly unable to board a cruise ship designated for their stay. Images circulated on social media depicted the athletes sleeping on the lobby floor, prompting widespread concern. AINAGOC explained that delays and confusion largely resulted from the time taken to address incomplete documentation submitted by some delegations.

Additional complaints have emerged regarding substandard food and beverage offerings at venues, as well as unreliable transportation services for participants. These collective shortcomings led KSOC President Ryu Seung-min to assign an overall management grade of “F” to the event organizers.

The opening days of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games thus have been overshadowed by a series of logistical and operational problems, highlighting ongoing challenges in delivering a seamless experience for athletes and delegations from across Asia. Organizers have pledged to implement corrective measures to improve the situation as the competitions proceed.