A boy plays in the snow in front of the Olympic rings in Livigno, Italy, in the runup to the 2026 Winter Olympics. (©SANKEI)
This is my first report for 2026. Throughout the coming year, in this column, I will continue to share my thoughts concerning the appeal and value of judo and other sports.
So, please continue to read my articles. I truly appreciate your following this column.
Currently, as the sports year begins, preparations for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are underway. They will begin on February 6. These will be the first Olympic Games I will be attending since I became the head of the Japanese Olympic Committee department overseeing athlete development and training programs.
For these Winter Olympics, the Japanese national team, "Team Japan," has established its goal of "achieving the highest level of results to date."
In addition, I have asked all our athletes to have faith in their own abilities and the team while pursuing their individual goals. I look forward to seeing each one of them deliver the best performances of which they are capable.
Achieving good results in terms of winning medals is part of the experience. Additionally, I hope our athletes will also gain something from participating that they can use to improve themselves and draw on in the future.
Meanwhile, I will be in Italy as well, striving as a member of Team Japan together with fellow Olympians from around the world to help make the Games a rousing success.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
I hope to see you at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games this fall!
Japan will host one of the biggest sports events of the year from September 19 to October 4, when the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 come to Japan.
These games are Asia's premier comprehensive sports event. In addition to traditional sports such as track and field, swimming, and judo, they include many other sports that are not held at the Olympics.
For example, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will feature e-sports, as well as sepak takraw and cricket. They will also include tai chi and combat sports (jiu-jitsu, KRUSH kickboxing, and mixed martial arts).
All these sports reflect the diverse histories and cultures of the Asian region. Many people undoubtedly don't have a regular opportunity to experience them, so be sure to check them out!
Furthermore, since the event is being held in Japan this time, I would encourage everyone who can to come to the venue and watch it live. In my experience, the experience of seeing and experiencing the actual event in person is irreplaceable.
Hopefully, children and young people, who will be the leaders of the next generation, will have an opportunity to witness the live performances of these elite athletes and be moved in some way by them.
The Value of Sports
Sports carry with them many diverse values. One of the greatest values, however, is their power to overcome differences and promote mutual understanding.
During 2026, we will continue to work with other athletes and officials from around the world to promote and share the appeal of sports.
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井上康生 理事長, 認定NPO法人 JUDOs. Learn more about the sport of judo and Kosei Inoue, former Olympic gold medalist and former national men's team judo coach who now serves in key positions for All Japan Judo Federation, on the website of JUDOs, a certified Japanese NPO. And find further columns by and about Kosei Inoue in English on JAPAN Forward.
