Asian Games close in Aichi and Nagoya; Japan reports 269 medals, names flag bearer
Version 2: Adds the announcement that 17-year-old swimmer Ohashi Shin will carry Japan's flag at the closing ceremony after a world-record swim in the 200 metres breaststroke, and Yomiuri Shimbun's report that chef de mission Yasunari Inoue spoke about the gap with China and about 747 requests to delete defamatory posts.
In short
The Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya close on 4 October, with the closing ceremony scheduled to begin at 18:00 local time. Before the closing, Japan's delegation held a review press conference at which chef de mission Yasunari Inoue announced that 17-year-old swimmer Ohashi Shin, who set a world record in the men's 200 metres breaststroke, will carry Japan's flag at the ceremony. Nippon TV News reported Japan's medal total at 269, including 83 gold, which it described as a record high.
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The Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya close on 4 October, with the closing ceremony scheduled to begin at 18:00 local time, Nippon TV News reported. Ahead of the closing, the Japanese delegation held a press conference to review the Games. NHK News reported that JOC president Seiko Hashimoto had also given a press conference as the tournament neared its end; the documents do not say whether the two events were the same gathering. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
At the delegation's review press conference, chef de mission Yasunari Inoue announced that 17-year-old swimmer Ohashi Shin would carry Japan's flag at the closing ceremony, Yomiuri Shimbun reported. The newspaper said Inoue made the announcement after the moderator had signalled the end of the press conference, saying: “There is one more thing I would like to report.” Inoue said Ohashi had produced excellent results and was “a symbolic athlete who gives strength to the Japanese delegation as a next-generation athlete”. Ohashi set a world record of 2 minutes 4.83 seconds in the men's 200 metres breaststroke and won gold, also won gold in the 100 metres breaststroke, and brought five medals to the delegation, according to the newspaper. [ 2 ]
Inoue said the team had faced “various issues” but had been able to fight to the end, crediting the many people who came to the venues and cheered the team. He said the athletes had fought with all their strength and that directors, coaches and staff had supported them devotedly. Nippon TV News reported Japan's medal total at 269, including 83 gold, which it described as a record high; that count was given before the Games had finished, and no other document gives medal figures. [ 3 ]
Yomiuri Shimbun also reported that Inoue addressed the difference between Japan and China at the review press conference, with a headline quoting him saying “gold is double the score”, and that 747 requests had been filed to delete defamatory posts. The documents give no further detail on either point. [ 4 ]
Hashimoto, speaking before the closing, said she had felt that athletes are able to grow when an international competition is held in their own country, and cited the significance of hosting the event, according to NHK News. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The closing ends a home-hosted Asian Games for Japan, and officials used the occasion to argue that staging an international competition at home helps athletes develop. The delegation's reported record medal haul is the main measurable outcome the documents offer, while Inoue's reported remarks on the gap with China and on hundreds of defamation-removal requests point to questions about performance and online abuse around the team.
Key facts
- The Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya close on 4 October [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The closing ceremony is scheduled to begin at 18:00 local time on 4 October [ 2 , 3 ]
- Chef de mission Yasunari Inoue announced swimmer Ohashi Shin, 17, as Japan's flag bearer for the closing ceremony [ 2 ]
- Ohashi set a world record of 2 minutes 4.83 seconds in the men's 200 metres breaststroke and brought five medals to the delegation [ 2 ]
- Nippon TV News reported Japan's medal total at 269, including 83 gold, which it described as a record high [ 3 ]
- Inoue said the team had faced various issues but fought to the end, crediting support from people who came to the venues [ 3 ]
- Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Inoue spoke about the gap with China, with a headline quoting him saying “gold is double the score”, and that 747 requests were filed to delete defamatory posts [ 4 ]
- JOC president Seiko Hashimoto said she felt athletes are able to grow when an international competition is held in their own country [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya close on 4 October [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Japanese delegation held a wrap-up press conference before the closing of the Games, attended by chef de mission Yasunari Inoue [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- JOC president Seiko Hashimoto said she felt that athletes are able to grow when an international competition is held in their own country, citing the significance of the event [ 1 ]
Still unclear
- Japan's medal total of 269, including 83 gold Reported by one outlet only, and the figure was given before the Games had finished
- The comparison with China described as “gold is double the score” Appears only in a Yomiuri Shimbun headline, with no figures or full quotation in the documents
- The 747 requests to delete defamatory posts Appears only in a Yomiuri Shimbun headline; the documents do not say who filed the requests or to whom they were addressed
- Whether Seiko Hashimoto's press conference and the delegation's review press conference were the same event The documents describe them separately and do not say whether they are one gathering
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- JOC president Seiko Hashimoto holds a press conference before the closing, saying she felt athletes can grow when an international competition is held at home, NHK News reports [ 1 ]
- Yomiuri Shimbun reports that chef de mission Yasunari Inoue announced swimmer Ohashi Shin as Japan's flag bearer for the closing ceremony [ 2 ]
- Nippon TV News reports the delegation's review press conference, Inoue's comments and a medal total of 269 including 83 gold [ 3 ]
- Yomiuri Shimbun reports Inoue's remarks on the gap with China and 747 requests to delete defamatory posts [ 4 ]
- Closing ceremony of the Asian Games scheduled to begin [ 2 , 3 ]