Aichi-Nagoya, already grappling with an accommodation crisis ahead of the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony, is now bracing for a possible typhoon that could disrupt the early days of the multi-sport event.
Tropical Storm Dujuan was, as of Thursday, positioned off Japan’s Pacific coast and moving northwest towards central Japan, where Nagoya is located, with maximum sustained winds of 90 kmph and gusts of up to 126 kmph. The storm is forecast to approach Japan’s central Pacific coast on 21 September, days after torrential rain flooded parts of the city, disrupted train services, forced school closures and pushed several hundred athletes and officials into temporary evacuation.
Japan’s Chef de Mission for the Games and Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) executive board member Kosei Inoue said organisers were preparing for possible severe weather. “Due to the heavy rain and severe weather, some competitions have already experienced delays or postponements, and there is also a possibility that a typhoon could approach on 21 September,” Inoue said, adding that the JOC was holding detailed meetings to ensure it could respond appropriately to changing conditions.
Nagoya Mayor and Games Deputy President Ichiro Hirosawa said competition would continue under normal rainy conditions, but that emergency measures would be introduced if severe weather posed a risk to athletes. “Under normal rainy conditions, the Games will carry on as usual. However, in the event of torrential rain that triggers emergency alerts, we will arrange for the athletes to evacuate temporarily,” he said.
Organisers have also prepared a contingency plan for the Costa Serena, the Italian cruise ship accommodating thousands of athletes and officials, which will move offshore to safer waters if winds reach typhoon strength. “If we encounter typhoon-level strong winds, the cruise ship will move offshore. We already have clear protocols in place for situations like these,” Hirosawa said.
The Games officially open today, though football, basketball and volleyball events are already under way in the region.
