Asian Para Games in Japan Marred by Repeated National Anthem Blunders, Mayor Apologizes

Officials at the Asian Para Games in Japan's Nagoya have committed multiple errors, playing the wrong national anthems on three separate occasions this week. The latest incident saw the South Korean national anthem played for approximately five seconds instead of the Chinese anthem during a men's sitting volleyball final where China secured a gold medal.

Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa issued an apology on Wednesday for these repeated mistakes, which occurred despite assurances that measures would be taken to prevent such occurrences following similar issues during the Asian Games. "These things happened during the Asian Games, so, of course, the operations were reviewed and examined based on the lessons learned. The fact that it happened again is really just unacceptable," Mayor Hirosawa stated at a news conference.

The Asian Para Games, featuring around 4,000 athletes and officials across 18 sports, are being held in Nagoya through Saturday. On Monday, during a men's para taekwondo medal ceremony for a Taiwanese athlete, the Iranian anthem was played in its entirety. Officials only realized the error after the ceremony concluded.

Later that same day, the Iranian anthem was mistakenly played again during a women's para taekwondo ceremony as a Mongolian competitor was being awarded a gold medal. The incorrect music was halted after the Mongolian delegation alerted organizers to the mistake. The Mongolian anthem was subsequently played after the music was provided by the delegation, according to Nagoya officials.

In a separate incident on Monday, the South Korean anthem was broadcast for about five seconds instead of the Chinese anthem prior to a sitting volleyball match between China and Iran.

"It is unacceptable, or rather, it’s painful. I am very sorry about it," the mayor commented, while also noting that the tournament was otherwise proceeding smoothly. The Asian Games, which concluded in early October, also faced criticism for various shortcomings, including issues with athlete accommodations and the playing of incorrect national anthems. Notably, on September 18, organizers played North Korea’s national anthem for the South Korean hockey team.