Nagoya, Japan, April 28, 2025: The desire to meet new people from home and abroad and the passion to assist a national cause are two of the driving forces behind the volunteer spirit building for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in 2026.
Local organising committee AINAGOC held a volunteer event at Fukiage Hall in the Nagoya Trade and Industry Centre on Monday, April 28 – just two days before the volunteer recruitment deadline.
The morning programme attracted 480 volunteers, with the same number signed up for the afternoon session.
“It was very enjoyable,” said 69-year-old volunteer Hidenobu Asada, who is retired after working for the Aichi Prefecture Government for 38 years. “I learned a lot about the Asian Games.
“This will be my first time to serve as a volunteer. The Asian Games is a very big project in the area and I want to join the Asian Games association. The main attraction for me is that it will be great for social participation.”
Another volunteer, Tamaki Suzuki from Kasugai city, spent several years working for international companies and organisations in Nagoya before retiring in 2018.
“The reason I want to be a volunteer at the Asian Games is because I like talking to people,” she said.
“I have experience in my work of using English for 20 years, and I am looking forward to talking with guests from overseas and also meeting new friends here.
“I am retired now and stay at home, so being a volunteer is a good chance to go out and meet with people,” added Tamiko, who is 63.
The volunteer event on Monday morning began with registration, official photo and a general presentation on the Asian Games.
The 480 participants learned that there will be 15,000 athletes and officials from 45 National Olympic Committees heading to Japan for the 20th Asian Games, which will take place from September 19 to October 4, 2026 in Nagoya city, Aichi prefecture, Tokyo and other parts of Japan. A total of 41 sports are on the programme.
They also heard that this will be the third time for Japan to host the Asian Games, following Tokyo 1958 and Hiroshima 1994.
Following the presentation and outline of the volunteer schedule for the next 16 months, the volunteers broke up into small working groups to tackle a “catch ball challenge” – a bonding exercise which broke the ice and created a sense of unity in their mission.
The programme ended with a size check for the uniforms to be worn by the volunteers during the 20th Asian Games and 5th Asian Para Games.
