"Why doesn't it look like Korean or Chinese clothing?" Japanese public stirs over opening ceremony attire of Asian Games guides; uniform sparks debate

*This content was translated by AI.

"Why doesn't it look like Korean or Chinese clothing?"

As the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games officially opened, the unique attire worn by ushers who guided delegations from various countries during the opening ceremony became a hot topic in Japan.

The opening ceremony of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games was held on the 19th at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.

This marks the 20th edition of the Summer Asian Games. Since the first tournament held in New Delhi, India, in 1951, the event has continued its history for 75 years.

The Asian Games are being held in the host country Japan for the first time in 32 years. This is the third time the games have been hosted in Japan, following the 1958 Tokyo and 1994 Hiroshima tournaments.

More than 15,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions are participating in this tournament.

The entrance of delegations at the opening ceremony proceeded according to a schedule based on English country names. South Korea (Republic of Korea), using the country code 'KOR', entered the venue as the 16th delegation.

The flagbearers for the South Korean delegation were table tennis star Shin Yu-bin (Korean Air) and rowing veteran Kim Dong-yong (Jinju City Hall).

Holding a large national flag together, Shin Yu-bin and Kim Dong-yong led their delegation into the stadium with bright smiles as South Korea was introduced.

On this day, 50 athletes from nine sports—women's basketball, boxing, rowing, yachting, surfing, padel, wushu, MMA, and table tennis—participated in the opening ceremony as part of the South Korean delegation.

Delegations from other countries also entered the stadium one by one, guided by ushers holding placards with their country names alongside flagbearers.

In this process, an unexpected element captured the attention of people in Japan.

It was the attire worn by the ushers guiding the delegations.

Japanese media Nikkan Sports reported that "the unique outfits worn by ushers guiding delegations from various countries at the Asian Games opening ceremony became a hot topic in Japan."

Ushers holding heart-shaped placards with country names wore modern designs inspired by traditional Japanese kimonos.

While they may appear to resemble kimonos at first glance, they were actually designed as wrap skirts layered over pants. According to reports, the design expresses a harmony between ancient and modern styles.

Other ushers, who performed choreography such as forming hearts with their hands while securing movement paths for delegations, wore one-piece dresses featuring a sky-blue background with cherry blossom patterns. Their hats also matched the same pattern.

On Japanese social media, various reactions poured in regarding the original design.

Some expressed opinions that the outfits evoked traditional clothing from other Asian countries more than a distinctly Japanese image.

One Japanese netizen commented, "The attire of the placard bearers guiding delegations at the Asian Games opening ceremony looks somewhat Chinese."

Another Japanese netizen also voiced confusion, saying, "I don't understand why the people holding signs with country names look like they're wearing Korean or Chinese clothing."

There were also opposing reactions.

Regarding the sky-blue dresses with cherry blossom patterns, some praised them as "too cute," noting they felt like school uniforms.

Nikkan Sports reported that "various reactions poured in on Japanese social media regarding the original design."

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*This content was translated by AI.