Japan wins record 64 golds at Asian Para Games amid accessibility concerns

By Barrier Free Japan

October 26 2026

AICHI – Japan won a record 64 gold medals at the Asian Para Games, which concluded Saturday after bringing together around 3,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions, although concerns were raised over accessibility for disabled volunteers.

The Aichi-Nagoya Games, held mainly in Aichi Prefecture in central Japan, featured competitions in 18 sports. Japan finished second in the overall medal standings behind China, winning 186 medals in total.

At the closing ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, three-time swimming gold medalist Akito Minai served as Japan’s flag bearer. Crown Prince Akishino, honorary president of the Games, and Crown Princess Kiko attended the ceremony.

On the final day of competition, Japan’s Kazuki Takahashi and Ayaka Sekine defeated Singapore in the mixed BC3 pairs final in boccia.

The Games, however, also drew attention to organizational shortcomings, with calls for improvements to accessibility for disabled volunteers following criticism of arrangements at the Asian Games, the larger multisport event held in the same host region.

Sachiko Matsuki, 46, who has retinitis pigmentosa that narrows her field of vision, volunteered at international sporting events including the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. During the Asian Games, she helped guide the Pakistani delegation to its bus stop and arranged taxis.

Matsuki, who uses a white cane, encountered roads that were inadequately paved and passageways that lacked sufficient lighting at night, making navigation difficult. She also witnessed wheelchair users struggling to enter rooms used for administrative work because of numerous steps.

The BBC reported on organizational problems surrounding the events, highlighting concerns about whether sufficient consideration had been given to accessibility for disabled people involved in their operation.

The criticism raises questions about how effectively the organizers incorporated the needs of disabled people into the planning and delivery of major international sporting events, particularly competitions intended to celebrate para sport and inclusion.