{
  "id": 9930819,
  "title": "Japan organizers 'not satisfied' as empty seats blight Asian Games",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/japan-organizers-not-satisfied-as-empty-seats-blight-asian-games",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T07:12:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20260926/japan-organizers-not-satisfied-as-empty-seats-blight-asian-games"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "NAGOYA, Japan — Asian Games organizers admitted on Saturday they were \"not satisfied\" with ticket sales after swathes of empty seats were seen at the main stadium and other venues in Japan. The 100m sprints are one of the highlights of any Games, but the 30,000-capacity Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium appeared to be only about one-quarter full on Friday night for the blue-riband events. Even the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Organizers express disappointment over empty seats at Asian Games venues.",
    "Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium had only one-quarter of 30,000 capacity on Friday night.",
    "Less than 60% of tickets sold for eight sports, including football."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The poor attendance at the Asian Games in Japan undermines the event's popularity, prompting organizers to redouble efforts to sell tickets and fill stadiums for the remainder of the Games.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "KBS World Radio",
        "title": "S. Korea Loses to Japan in Super Round of Baseball at 2026 Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/s-korea-loses-to-japan-in-super-round-of-baseball-at-2026-asian-games",
        "published": "2026-09-26T06:24:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Japan organizers 'not satisfied' as empty seats blight Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/japan-organizers-not-satisfied-as-empty-seats-blight-asian-games-9934230",
        "published": "2026-09-26T07:32:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}