Since the opening of the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games, the Taiwanese team has been subject to political suppression such as refusing to allow Sports Minister Li Yang to enter the Asian Olympic Games, and the organizers prohibited people from entering the venue with red flags all over the ground.
The opening of the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games has been constantly controversial. Teams from various countries have blasted it as the "worst Asian Games in history." The Taiwan team has even been politically suppressed frequently by the organizers, such as refusing to allow sports ministers to enter, not giving game signals, and banning national flags from entering the stadium. Taiwan has protested and argued that "politics should not interfere with sports." Related words and deeds have not only ignited civil war between Taiwan and Japan, but now it is reported that Japan's Taiwan-friendly parliamentarians have taken the initiative to protest to the central government.
It is reported that from September 19th to 29th, the Taiwan team had malicious graffiti on the banners at the relay station. At one time, Sports Minister Li Yang was not allowed to participate in the welcome ceremony of the delegations of the Asian Olympic Games. The nationality column option on the ticket sales page was only for "Chinese". Taipei", the quarterfinals of the badminton men's and women's team competition cut off the Taiwan team's international public broadcast signal without warning, and prohibited spectators from entering the venue with "Taiwan", Japan's "rising sun flag" or Taiwan's "blue sky, white sun and red flag". This caused an uproar from all walks of life. The Japanese people even criticized the Aichi Prefectural Government for its ugly and embarrassing behavior of "flattery to China and licking the Communist Party".
Japan's Kobe City Councilor Hirohiro Uehata, who actively promotes exchanges between Taiwan and Japan and has made many friendly remarks about Taiwan, posted in traditional Chinese through Threads on the 26th that for Japan, Taiwan is an irreplaceable and extremely important existence that shares the values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. "Because In this way, if the operation of the conference makes the people of Taiwan feel disappointed and sad, I would like to express my strong protest against the 20th Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya. I do not want a conference that makes the Taiwanese people feel that their dignity has been harmed and they have suffered unfair treatment.”
Hirohiro Uehata pointed out that this Asian Games is obviously being held in Japan, but there is a tendency to "excessively worry about China" when it comes to Taiwan issues, which makes him completely unacceptable and extremely angry. Not only that, Hirohiro Uehata also severely criticized the extremely poor operation of the Asian Games with "Has Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture been reduced to Aichi Province of the People's Republic of China?" and promised to stand with friends in Taiwan. "As long as Taiwan's dignity is slighted, I will continue to speak out clearly in the future. I will not watch any of this conference, nor will I go to watch it live."
On the afternoon of the 27th, Uehata Hirohiro issued the latest statement simultaneously on Threads and
Hirohiro Uehata emphasized that he understands that international events must abide by the relevant rules set by the Olympic Games of Asia (OCA). However, when implementing these rules, the dignity and identity of the Taiwanese people must not be harmed, nor should the Taiwanese people feel that even their feelings for Taiwan have been denied. "What's more, this conference is held in Japan. I believe that everyone who comes to Japan from Taiwan must not be disappointed and sad because of the relevant handling of the conference."
In addition, according to Hiroyuki Uehata's post, he made the following "5 points" demands to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology:
1. Confirm the facts of the measures taken against Taiwanese players, relevant individuals and spectators at this tournament, and examine whether there are any actions that damage the dignity and identity of the Taiwanese people.
2. The Organizing Committee and OCA are required to respect Taiwanese players, relevant individuals and audiences, and fully take into account their dignity and recognition in the operation of the conference.
3. Confirm the purpose and scope of application of the conference rules formulated by the OCA and others, avoid restricting the legitimate support and expressions of the Taiwanese people due to expanded interpretations beyond the necessary scope, and require relevant parties to take appropriate measures.
4. Sincerely face the opinions and concerns raised by Taiwan. If it is confirmed that there is a problem, the conference organizing committee and OCA should be asked to quickly improve and take measures to prevent recurrence.
5. For international sports events held in Japan, the Japanese government is required to take necessary actions to ensure that the personality and dignity of all participants, including Taiwan, are respected.
