Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games organizers apologize for flag ban controversy

The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee has issued an apology following controversies regarding prohibited items at baseball venues. The committee admitted that signage posted at the Okazaki Central General Park baseball stadium incorrectly listed the Rising Sun Flag as a prohibited item, attributing the error to a “misunderstanding by staff on-site.”

The controversy also extended to Taiwanese supporters. Reports indicate that fans were prevented from using towels featuring the word “Taiwan,” with staff citing “political claims” as the reason. Additionally, signage at the venue had listed the flag of the Republic of China (Taiwan) as a prohibited item. While the committee apologized for the Rising Sun Flag error, critics noted the apology did not explicitly address the treatment of the Taiwanese flag or the restrictions on “Taiwan” branded merchandise.

Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University criticized the committee, alleging that the apology was only posted on the Japanese-language version of the official website and omitted from the English version, suggesting an attempt to manage domestic Japanese public opinion.

In separate sports news from the games, the Japanese men’s handball team, “Suisei JAPAN,” secured a bronze medal after defeating South Korea 37-32 in the third-place match. This marks Japan’s first Asian Games handball medal in 16 years and their first victory over South Korea in the competition since 1982.