Common pulse of a continent
On the evening of September 19, the opening ceremony of ASIAD 20 took place at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. This is the first time Nagoya has hosted the Asian Games, after 32 years since Japan hosted ASIAD in Hiroshima in 1994.
The opening program is themed "Harmonic Heart Beat", part of the overall idea "Heart Beat Aichi - Nagoya" used for both the opening and closing ceremonies. The message that the organizers want to convey is the image of athletes and people in Asia joining in a beat through sports, emotions and connection.
Not only introducing a sports festival, the opening ceremony is also an opportunity for Japan to promote the image of Aichi - Nagoya with a combination of tradition, creativity and technology. This is a familiar approach of Japan in major international events: Not just organizing a competition, but telling a cultural story.
Taking on the role of general director of the program is Yukihiko Tsutsumi - a famous film and stage director born in Nagoya. The selection of a person deeply attached to the locality shows the desire of the host country to create an opening ceremony imbued with the Aichi - Nagoya imprint.
When technology blends with culture
One of the highlights expected at the ASIAD 20 opening ceremony is the combination of traditional performing arts with modern technology.
Japan does not choose to turn technology into the sole center of the program, but combines screenings with performances by artists, athletes, volunteers and local people.
A notable technological highlight is the industrial robot arm system controlling the flags in the stadium. This technology is expected to create precise movements, combined with human formations and light to create visual effects on stage.
This is a very distinctive mark of Japan - a country that always seeks to connect technology with life. Robots not only appear in factories, but are also brought into cultural and sports events to create new experiences for the public.
In addition, thousands of volunteers, dancers and local martial artists have been trained for many months to participate in the program. This shows that the opening ceremony is not only the product of a professional team, but also the participation of the local community.
The fire connects the past and the future
A special ceremony of the opening ceremony is to light the torch with the message "A Uniting Flame for All". The ASIAD 20 fire is unified at Nagoya Castle from 3 sources of fire: Tokyo - where the 1958 ASIAD was held, Hiroshima - the host of the 1994 ASIAD and Aichi - Nagoya, the host of this year's Games. The connection of 3 sources of fire is not only symbolic. It is also a symbol of the continuation between the past, present and future of the Asian sports movement in Japan.
The torch relay journey was also organized with the participation of many famous faces. Freestyle wrestling legend Saori Yoshida was the first torch holder, followed by about 1,000 people, including former female football legend Homare Sawa, tennis player Kimiko Date and elementary school students participating in the torch relay through 16 districts of Nagoya.
Through this ceremony, Japan wants to emphasize that ASIAD is not only for professional athletes, but also a festival for the people, where all generations participate and share pride.
Continental-level sporting event
ASIAD 20 gathers about 15,000 athletes and officials from 45 countries and territories, competing in 43 sports, 71 sub-athletes with 469 sets of medals. The Vietnamese sports delegation participates with 348 athletes, competing in 33 sports and aiming to win 4 or more Gold Medals.
For athletes, the opening ceremony is a moment marking the beginning of the competition journey. But for host country Japan, this is also an opportunity to show how a country combines sports with cultural strength.
Japan has spent about 7 billion Yen (about 46.5 million USD) for the opening ceremony, of which most of the funding is for the performance program. However, the greatest value of the event is not in the cost of organization, but in the ability to create a story with spreading power.
Major sports events today are no longer only evaluated through competition achievements. The opening ceremony has become a place for each country to introduce its identity, development thinking and vision for the future.
ASIAD 20 in Nagoya shows a clear approach: Sports are a bridge between people; culture is the foundation for creating identity; and technology is a tool to expand experiences. Through "Harmonic Heart Beat", Japan sends the image of an Asia with the same beat, where cultural differences are not a barrier but become a source of strength to connect.
For Nagoya, the opening ceremony of ASIAD 20 is not only the opening of a major sporting event, but also marks a new step in the journey of building the city's brand through culture, creativity and global values.
The opening ceremony also received special attention when Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were expected to attend, while Crown Prince Akishino held the role of honorary chairman of the congress. Tickets to the opening ceremony on September 19 were sold out early, reflecting the great attraction of the event. After 32 years since Hiroshima 1994, the congress has returned to Japan. Although the detailed script and the person who lit the fire platform are still kept secret, the opening ceremony on September 19 promises to be the opening ceremony for the continental sports festival. Japan has spent 7 billion Yen (about 46.5 million USD) for the opening ceremony, an increase of 2 billion Yen compared to the initial budget.
