“They Removed the Admiral Yi Sun-sin Banner, Yet Put Toyotomi on Full Display”... Controversy Over Japan’s Asian Games Welcome Event

[Financial News] A performance featuring Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who launched the Imjin War, was held at a welcome event for athletes at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. As controversy grew, Professor Kyoungduk Seo of Sungshin Women's University sent a protest email to the Games organizing committee.
On September 17, Professor Seo said on social media, “I immediately sent a protest email to the Asian Games organizing committee.”
The controversial performance reportedly took place on September 15 at a welcome event for the arrival of a cruise ship being used to accommodate the athletes.
Professor Seo said, “A performance featuring Toyotomi Hideyoshi was staged at the athletes’ village welcome event on September 15, sparking considerable controversy. As you well know, Toyotomi invaded Joseon in 1592 and launched the Imjin War, disrupting peace in East Asia.”
He added, “Given that the Asian Games are the largest event in Asia dedicated to peace and harmony, this performance was highly inappropriate. In the email, I pointed out that it was ‘even more difficult to accept in light of Japan’s past actions.’”
During the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, the South Korean delegation had previously hung a banner on the exterior wall of the athletes’ village that borrowed a statement attributed to Admiral Yi Sun-sin. Japanese media and right-wing groups claimed that the wording conveyed a political message linked to the Imjin War, and the banner was removed.
Professor Seo added, “I reminded them that Japanese media and right-wing groups had the South Korean delegation’s banner removed at the time. I strongly criticized Japan’s double standard: Admiral Yi Sun-sin was deemed unacceptable, while Toyotomi, who left deep wounds in neighboring countries through a history of invasion, was featured. This is an anachronistic way of thinking.”
He continued, “I emphasized that the organizing committee must issue an official apology for this incident and take care to ensure that nothing like it happens again. I will continue informing people around the world about Japan’s misguided conduct regarding history,” he said.
[email protected] Seong Min-seo Reporter