"They left out South Korea's anthem, and now there's even a Toyotomi photo zone"—Japan's Asian Games 'history war' takes a detour [What do you think?]

[Financial News]  Amid a series of controversies surrounding the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, reports have emerged that a photo zone themed around Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who launched Japan's 1592 invasion of Joseon, will operate during the Games, sparking an uproar.
On the 21st, Professor Kyoungduk Seo said, "A netizen living in Japan tipped me off," adding, "After checking, I found that a 'warlord role-play photo zone' will operate on the 22nd at Mizuho Park in Nagoya."
According to Professor Seo, the official cultural program website for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games says that the 'warlord role-play photo zone' is being hosted by Nagoya. The program allows visitors to stand behind large acrylic panels shaped like armor and take photos as if they had become warlords, with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Oda Nobunaga, and Tokugawa Ieyasu as its themes.
Earlier, on the 15th, a pre-ceremony performance featuring Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu sparked controversy at Nagoya Kinjo Pier. The performance marked the docking of the Costa Serena, a large passenger ship being used as a cruise ship athletes' village.
At the time, Professor Seo criticized the performance, saying, "Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Joseon in 1592 and launched the Imjin War, destroying peace in East Asia. Given that these Asian Games are promoting themselves as Asia's largest event for peace and harmony, the performance was highly inappropriate."
In response, Professor Seo sent a protest email to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee, demanding an official apology and measures to prevent a recurrence. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) also formally protested to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Organising Committee.
The Organising Committee explained that the event was intended to introduce the local culture and tourism of Aichi and Nagoya, the host locations, and that it had no intention of glorifying any particular historical figure. It acknowledged that the event could be interpreted differently by different audiences and said it would continue to exercise caution to ensure that all programs and content were appropriate for an international sporting event.
However, despite that explanation, it has now been confirmed that a photo zone themed around Toyotomi Hideyoshi will also operate.
Regarding the Organising Committee's explanation, Professor Seo said, "It was nothing more than an insincere explanation," adding, "If they had a proper understanding of history, they would not have featured Toyotomi Hideyoshi again."
He went on to emphasize, "Japan, which is using the Asian Games—the festival of 4.9 billion Asians—to glorify a war criminal, should no longer host international sporting events. Japan needs to come to its senses."
Meanwhile, during the match between the South Korean men's national hockey team and Bangladesh on the 18th, the North Korean national anthem was played instead of South Korea's national anthem during the national ceremonial proceedings. Immediately after the incident, the South Korean national team delegation demanded an explanation from the Organising Committee and sent an official letter of protest in the name of delegation head Lee Sang-hyun. The Organising Committee then formally apologized to the KSOC.
However, the following day, on the 19th, another incident occurred during the national ceremonial proceedings before the match between the South Korean women's national handball team and Hong Kong: neither South Korea's national anthem nor China's national anthem (Hong Kong) was played.
[email protected] Kim Su-yeon Reporter