"Packed Up During the Performance" North Korean and Other Delegations Walk Out En Masse... Nagoya Organizers Also in Meltdown Over 'Empty 30,000-Seat Stadium' [Nagoya Asian Games]

[Financial News] The largest sports festival in Asia opened in the Japanese archipelago for the first time in 32 years, only to suffer the humiliation of an unprecedented 'mass walkout' and 'box-office disaster' from the very beginning. The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games had been plagued by setbacks even before the opening because of the sweltering container village and the controversy over the appearance of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It ultimately brought international embarrassment before the eyes of the world during the opening ceremony as well.
The opening ceremony was held yesterday (the 19th) at 6 p.m. at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. In preparation for the Asian Games, the organizing committee spent nearly five years expanding the spectator capacity of the main stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies are being held, from 27,000 to 30,000 seats.

But when the event actually got underway, the result was dismal. Large sections of the 30,000-seat stands were empty, making the venue look anything but a home-hosted celebration. The local fans' cold indifference, evident in early this month's ticket sales figures—with 10 of the 41 sports recording sales rates below 60%—carried over in full into the opening ceremony's box-office failure.
The most shocking farce unfolded during the latter part of the opening ceremony. Japan entered as the 46th national delegation, briefly appearing to lift the mood. However, around 7:25 p.m., a performance introducing the region's history and traditions began around a model of Nagoya Castle installed on the stage, and the situation soon became chaotic. Some national delegations, including North Korea's, suddenly rose from their seats and began leaving the field.

Typically, only a small number of athletes attend the opening ceremony so they can manage their competition schedules and condition. South Korea also sent just 50 representatives to the ceremony from its mammoth 1,051-member delegation. Even though each country dispatched only a minimal number of participants to the event, some delegations collectively left the stadium without watching the lighting of the torch, which was supposed to cap the ceremony, because of the slapdash performance.
As the stands sat empty and even the athletes—the central figures on the field—turned their backs on the event, the troubled Nagoya Asian Games got off to the worst possible start.
[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter