{
  "id": 12816518,
  "title": "Japanese governor says remarks target Thai coach and manager, not athletes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/japanese-governor-says-remarks-target-thai-coach-and-manager-not",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T03:37:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Thaiger",
    "slug": "the-thaiger",
    "url": "https://thethaiger.com/news/national/aichi-governor-clarifies-remarks-on-thai-teqball-team"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japanese Governor Hideaki Ohmura clarified that his remarks about the Thai teqball team were not targeting the athletes themselves, but rather the team’s coach and manager. Ohmura made these comments at a press conference on October 6 after watching a video where the Thai team’s coach and manager complained about limited food options and small portions near their competition venue. Several Thai and Japanese news outlets reported that Ohmura considered the food complaint excessive and accused the Thai team of seeking online attention. The governor’s comments led to criticism on Thai social media. Ohmura later clarified his remarks on his X account, stating that his comments were directed specifically at the Thai team’s coach and management, not the athletes. He argued that media reports had misinterpreted his remarks. Ohmura also emphasized that his comments fell outside the organizing committee’s responsibilities and therefore could not be addressed by the committee. Despite the controversy, Thailand participated in three of the five teqball medal events at the Asian Games and won gold in all three.",
  "summary": "Aichi Governor Hideaki Ohmura denied saying he did not want Thai athletes to attend the 2026 Asian Games, but acknowledged that his criticism was directed at the Thai teqball team’s manager and coach. Ohmura’s comments at a press conference on October 6 attracted attention in Thailand after he discussed a video in which the Thai … The story Japanese governor says remarks target Thai coach and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}