Asian Games close in Nagoya with Matsuken Samba finale
In short
The 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games closed on Oct 4 with a ceremony in Nagoya. Actor Ken Matsudaira, a native of Toyohashi in Aichi Prefecture, appeared in a gold costume and performed “Matsuken Samba II”. Livedoor News reported Japan's team won a record 269 medals, and that more than 15,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions took part.
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The 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games closed on Oct 4 with a closing ceremony in Nagoya, Livedoor News and Yahoo! News Japan reported. Actor Ken Matsudaira, a native of Toyohashi in Aichi Prefecture, appeared in a gold costume and performed “Matsuken Samba II”, according to the reports. Nippon TV News and Yomiuri Shimbun also carried the finale performance in their headlines. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Livedoor News reported that Japan's team won a record 269 medals — 83 gold, 95 silver and 91 bronze — and that more than 15,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions took part in the games. It said swimmer Nobu Oshiro, 17, who set a world record in the men's 200m breaststroke, carried the flag as Japan's team entered the ceremony. [ 2 ]
Yahoo! News Japan described Matsudaira's appearance as a surprise that stirred the venue, and said athletes sang and danced along. It quoted reactions including “I believed he would come”, “the sense is wonderful” and “100 points”. [ 3 ]
The outlets differed on the venue. Livedoor News said the ceremony was held at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, while Yahoo! News Japan said it took place at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. The documents do not say which name is used officially. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The closing ceremony ended a games that, by the account of one local outlet, brought Japan its largest medal haul at an Asian Games, a result that shapes how the event is remembered domestically. The choice of a locally born performer for the finale put an Aichi cultural figure at the centre of the broadcast coverage.
Key facts
- The 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games closed on Oct 4 with a closing ceremony in Nagoya. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Actor Ken Matsudaira appeared in a gold costume and performed “Matsuken Samba II” at the ceremony. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Livedoor News reported Japan's team won a record 269 medals: 83 gold, 95 silver and 91 bronze. [ 2 ]
- The games drew more than 15,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions, according to Livedoor News. [ 2 ]
- Swimmer Nobu Oshiro, 17, who set a world record in the men's 200m breaststroke, was Japan's flagbearer at the ceremony, Livedoor News reported. [ 2 ]
- Yahoo! News Japan described Matsudaira's appearance as a surprise and reported that athletes sang and danced along. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The name of the venue hosting the closing ceremony. Livedoor News says the ceremony was at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, while Yahoo! News Japan says Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium; the documents do not resolve which name is used officially.
- Japan's medal total and the number of participating athletes and countries. These figures come from Livedoor News alone; no other document gives them.
- Whether Matsudaira's appearance was unannounced. Yahoo! News Japan calls it a surprise appearance, while other documents describe it as part of the closing ceremony without saying it was unannounced.
- The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games closing ceremony took place on Oct 4 in Nagoya. Reported by a single source so far