Is there a legacy for the Aichi/Nagoya Asian Games? Japan team has won the most medals in history, but trouble continues

Does the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have a legacy? While the Japanese team won the most medals in history, the tournament was plagued by numerous troubles. The merits and demerits of the unprecedented system of not entrusting the entire operation of a large-scale international tournament to a major advertising agency have been highlighted.

The value of hosting the event in one’s own country, for the next generation; the legacy that goes beyond the excitement - Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games

Originally, I was feeling anxious. The total cost of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, excluding urban development costs, is 1.4238 trillion yen. On the other hand, the budget for this year's Games, which has more sports and teams than the Olympics, is 298 billion yen, including the Asian Paralympic Games. It lacks a major agency with the know-how and has many inexperienced staff. A senior member of the organizing committee said, ``It was a difficult operation from the beginning.''

There were signs. According to a person involved, the major event company that was contracted to set up and operate the venue did not provide basic drawings by the deadline, making it "like a black box. There is no sharing of information." There were delays in calculating the necessary equipment and costs, and preparations continued until just before the opening.

Problems continue to occur even after the competition begins. The North Korean national anthem is played during hockey games against South Korea, and during basketball games, shuttle buses for South Korean players sometimes don't arrive. The tournament was busy with explanations and apologies.

On the other hand, improvements were made with each passing day. The company quickly responded to issues surrounding the accommodation environment and changed the system to a system that does not allow transportation reservations to be made after the deadline. Junichi Kawai, Director-General of the Japan Sports Agency, who has extensive experience participating in general tournaments, praised the event, saying, ``Such issues are always faced.They are being resolved thoroughly.''

The government has set out a policy to accumulate and pass on know-how in managing large-scale tournaments. The 2025 revision of the Basic Act on Sports positioned ensuring transparency in management and human resource development as national policies. Because this is a temporary organization that disbands after the Games, it is necessary to leave behind reports and human resources to connect knowledge.

On the sales front, sponsorship revenue reached 27 billion yen, exceeding the target amount. The method of reducing costs by not setting up an athletes' village and using container-type accommodation facilities and cruise ships will likely be useful for future international competitions, including the issue of transportation.

In Japan, the 2035 Rugby World Cup Bid Committee was established in September. In the future, there is a possibility that the city will host international competitions, including the Olympics. Will the domestic criticism surrounding the event dampen momentum, and will the world's perspective change? This tournament has a meaning that will lead to the next generation only when we thoroughly examine both successes and troubles.