{
  "id": 8626294,
  "title": "Asian Games 2026 / Opening Ceremony Showcases Message of Hope, Unity with Nepal Delegation Drawing Cheers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/asian-games-2026-opening-ceremony-showcases-message-of-hope-unity",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T06:01:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
    "slug": "the-japan-news-by-the-yomiuri-shimbun",
    "url": "https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20260920-349726/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 officially kicked off on Saturday with an impressive opening ceremony held at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya. The Japanese delegation led the ceremony, with two flag bearers, wrestler Akari Fujinami and BMX rider Rimu Nakamura, marching ahead. The games officially commenced on Sunday, with swimming being one of the events where Japan had set its sights on achieving numerous medals.\n\nAt the opening ceremony, which began at 6 p.m., a visual presentation showcased a beam of light shining down on Aichi. Following this, a countdown initiated, culminating in an eruption of cheers from the gathering crowd. Immediately after, the lights surrounding a heart-shaped stage were illuminated simultaneously. Accompanied by lively music, dazzling laser beams enveloped the venue. As drones shaped like wings traversed the sky, approximately 250 dancers performed repeatedly in various formations, aiming to highlight the unity of diverse hearts and pulses among the attendees.\n\nTo conclude the ceremony, the dancers formed a shape spelling out the word \"WELCOME\" to extend this message to both athletes and spectators. The torch relay, involving around 1,000 participants, reached its climax when past Olympic Games gold medalists, Koji Murofushi and his father Shigenobu, jointly lit the cauldron. Murofushi had won a gold medal in the men’s hammer throw at the Athens Olympics, while his father had won five consecutive Asian Games titles in the same event. The delegation from Nepal, who had recently suffered extensive damage from mudslides in the region bordering China in August, also participated in the ceremony. They entered the venue wearing black jackets, waving their national flag or their hands, and responded to the cheers with smiles. During the 16-day Games, it is expected that 136 Nepali athletes will compete in 22 sports, including kabaddi, cricket, and volleyball. Special attention will be given to the women's karate event, where Nepal won a silver medal at the previous Asian Games.",
  "summary": "NAGOYA — The Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 officially started Saturday with a spectacular opening ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya.",
  "key_points": [
    "Opening ceremony began at 6 p.m. at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium",
    "Visual presentation featured light beam and heart-shaped stage",
    "Nepal delegation participated, 136 athletes expected in 22 sports"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
        "title": "Asian Games 2026 / Emperor, Empress Attend Opening Ceremony with Crown Prince, Crown Princess",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/asian-games-2026-emperor-empress-attend-opening-ceremony-with-crown",
        "published": "2026-09-20T06:41:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}