Nagoya, Japan, October 9, 2025: The 1st World Press Briefing for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games got underway with over 100 international and local media in attendance at the Nagoya International Exhibition Hall, Port Messe, on Thursday, October 9.
They were welcomed by the Governor of Aichi Prefecture Hideaki Ohmura, the Mayor of Nagoya City Ichiro Hirosawa, and OCA Director of Media and Broadcast Jeans Zhou Jian in opening addresses to kick-start the two-day meeting.
“The media will play a vital role in the success of these Asian Games and we will share with you the current status of preparations with just less than one year to go,” said Governor Ohmura, who is also the President of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC).
Mayor Hirosawa told journalists from international news agencies Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Xinhua, Kyodo News and Associated Press that work on the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium - venue for the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the athletic events - would be completed by early next year.
“Preparations are entering a critical and exciting stage,” Mayor Hirosawa said.
OCA Media Director Jeans Zhou, speaking on behalf of OCA Media Committee Chairman Faris Mustafa Al Kooheji, said: “Japan’s proud track record of hosting both summer and winter Asian Games ensures that the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is in safe hands, especially when it comes to media services and operations.”
Giving an overview of the September 19-October 4 showpiece, AINAGOC highlighted key points and dates:
· 45 Asian National Olympic Committees
· 15,000 athletes and team officials
· 41 sports, 68 disciplines, 460 events
· 53 competition venues - 80 percent within 50 kilometres of Main Media Centre
· 60 test events in lead-up the Games
· Entry by Name (athletes): August 2026
· Games will start with basketball and end with sport climbing
The two-day meeting will conclude with site visits on Friday, October 10.