The Asian Games scheduled to open in Japan this week have drawn significant complaints regarding athlete accommodation, particularly concerning temporary wooden container structures housing approximately 2,000 participants. Officials from multiple nations have expressed dissatisfaction with the facilities, citing inadequate space and maintenance concerns.
The containers, designed to serve dual purposes as disaster evacuation facilities after the Games conclude, have been the focus of numerous complaints since their introduction. South Korean basketball officials have been among the most vocal critics, with team representatives documenting leaking pipes and water damage in their assigned quarters. Athletes exceeding two meters in height have reported being unable to stretch on the beds provided. Last week, residents of the containers were temporarily evacuated when record rainfall caused widespread flooding in the Nagoya area, with some competition venues also experiencing water leakage.
The accommodation challenges stem partly from higher-than-anticipated attendance. Organizers initially planned for 15,000 athletes and officials but the number grew to over 17,000 following the addition of teqball and padel as sports. Organizers stated they lacked sufficient resources to accommodate the additional participants. However, officials subsequently confirmed that all registered attendees have been assigned Games-appropriate housing, with some staying on a cruise ship docked in Nagoya and others in hotels.
Accommodation manager Yuta Matsuo acknowledged the concerns raised by athlete delegations and indicated that hosts were implementing improvements. Some nations have taken their own measures, with Indian authorities constructing replica huts to acclimate athletes to the conditions. The Games officially commence on Saturday and conclude on 4 October.
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