Japan organizers 'not satisfied' as empty seats blight Asian Games

NAGOYA, Japan — Asian Games organizers expressed disappointment on Saturday with ticket sales after large empty areas were observed at the main stadium and other venues in Japan. The 100m sprints, one of the main attractions of the Games, saw attendance of approximately one-quarter of the 30,000-capacity Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Friday night.

Even the potential Japanese women's pole vault gold for Misaki Morota failed to attract significant crowds at the beginning of the weekend. The Aichi-Nagoya Games revealed that less than 60 percent of tickets had been purchased for eight sports, including football, with a comparable amount remaining unsold for the closing ceremony in eight days.

Satoshi Murate, secretary-general of the Games organizing committee, responded to AFP, stating that they were not satisfied. He vowed to continue striving for full stadiums, selling more tickets, and ensuring attendees actually attend. He acknowledged that over 90 percent of tickets were sold for the opening ceremony a week ago but attributed the current situation to no-shows.