{
  "id": 2552667,
  "title": "Asian Games Torch Relay Begins at Nagoya Castle",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/asian-games-torch-relay-begins-at-nagoya-castle",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T10:02:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nippon.com News",
    "slug": "nippon-com-news",
    "url": "https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2026082200291/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Asian Games torch relay commenced on Saturday at Nagoya Castle's Ni-no-maru Square in Nagoya, central Japan. This marks the start of the event, which is set to open on September 19. The relay will traverse 40 municipalities throughout Aichi Prefecture, as well as making stops at 14 schools, including junior high schools. Prior to the relay's commencement, a flame-lighting ceremony took place at the square.\n\nThe flame for this year's Games was meticulously crafted, merging the torch from the 1958 Asian Games held in Tokyo with the Flame of Peace held at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. Hiroshima, a city that hosted the 1994 Asian Games, was the site of the Flame of Peace.\n\nSaori Yoshida, a three-time Olympic champion in women's wrestling, was the first torchbearer to undertake the relay. She expressed her profound honor at the occasion, stating, \"I'm very honored. I had always been on the side of athletes, so this time I ran with the feeling of cheering them.\" Yoshida concluded, \"I hope to give the athletes energy.\"",
  "summary": "Nagoya, Aug. 22 (Jiji Press)--The torch relay for the Asian Games, which are scheduled to open on Sept. 19, began Saturday at Nagoya Castle's Ni-no-maru Square in Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. The relay will visit 40 municipalities across the prefecture and bring the flame to 14 schools, including junior high schools. Prior to the relay, a flame-lighting ceremon...",
  "key_points": [
    "Asian Games torch relay started at Nagoya Castle Ni-no-maru Square",
    "Flame combines 1958 Tokyo Games torch and Hiroshima Peace Flame",
    "Saori Yoshida, Olympic champion, lit the torch"
  ],
  "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."
}