The organizers of Asian Games 2026, a multi-sport event to be held in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City from 19 September to 4 October 2026, have started their preparations for the games. This is the first time for Japan to host the Asian Games after the pandemic-delayed Hangzhou 2023 edition, and organizers aim to draw a bigger audience than previous events.

The Asian Games, first held in 1951 in New Delhi, are the biggest sports competitions in Asia. The games are organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) with 45 member national Olympic committees. The Games were advocated by Neru, the Prime Minister of India at that time, in order to reestablish the bonds between Asian nations that had been broken by World War II through sports and contribute to everlasting peace.

Aichi-Nagoya is the best venue to hold the Asian Games as the region’s transportation infrastructure and communication network are top-notch. The city has a wide variety of train lines operated by JR (Tokaido Shinkansen, Chuo Main Line, Tokaido Main West Line, and Kintetsu Railway), as well as comprehensive bus services provided by Meitetsu Bus and private companies.

In addition, shuttle buses are planned to aid spectator movement and measures will be taken to curb private car use around the venues. The Organizing Committee is working to plan and prepare the transport system in cooperation with local authorities and public transport service providers. The Aichi-Nagoya Organizing Committee will also make efforts to promote the Games as an opportunity for visitors to experience local culture, including the hospitality of Aichi-Nagoya as the home of many warlords during the Sengoku Period and its unique food culture.