#Japan #Nagoya #Saudi Arabia #Asian Games #Aichi esports

Domestic Peaks Meet World Frontiers: The Birth of Japan's Esports Candidates for the 2026 Asian Games

The Aichi Esports Federation (JeSU Aichi), based in Nagoya, Japan, is excited to announce the upcoming 43rd Aichi-Nagoya Esports Research Conference. This event will take place on May 19, 2026, at the Chūnichi Hall & Conference Boardroom located in the heart of Nagoya. The primary focus will be to explore the evolution of esports as an officially recognized competitive discipline, especially as we approach the 20th Asian Games (2026/Aichi-Nagoya).

On March 21-22, 2026, the ASIA esports EXPO 2026 will be hosted, where the final selection of Japan's candidates for the Asian Games esports competition will be held. This event is organized by the Aichi-Nagoya Esports Promotion Committee, consisting of stakeholders like the Chunichi Shimbun, CBC Television, Chubu Telecommunications, and the Aichi Esports Federation. We are thrilled to bring you the latest updates regarding this groundbreaking event.

Insights from Saudi Arabia's Esports Landscape

In addition to Japan's developments, we'll also dive into the latest trends in esports from Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian Tourism Authority will present insights on major events including the Esports World Cup and the Esports Nations Cup, shedding light on the country’s growing role in the global esports arena, which has gained immense traction and recognition over recent years.

Aichi Esports Federation: Towards a Promising Future

Operating under the guiding principle of “creating dreams, establishing industries, and responding to society,” the Aichi Esports Federation strives to create job opportunities and promote regional revitalization through esports. Additionally, our goal is to foster an inclusive environment that nurtures a diverse range of talents, including individuals with disabilities. So far, we have successfully held 42 business events that investigate the challenges and possibilities within the esports industry.

The upcoming 43rd conference aims to broaden knowledge about esports in the lead-up to the 2026 event, focusing on the theme: “Domestic Peaks Meet World Frontiers: The Birth of Japan's Esports Candidates and Trends Towards 2026.” We invite companies and organizations engaged or interested in esports to leverage this opportunity to gain insights into this rapidly evolving domain.

Conference Details

• - Theme: Domestic Peaks Meet World Frontiers: The Birth of Japan’s Esports Candidates and Insights from Saudi Arabia Regarding Trends Towards 2026.
• - Date: May 19, 2026
• - Time: 14:30 - 16:30 (doors open at 14:00)
• - Location: Chūnichi Hall & Conference Boardroom, Nagoya
• - Capacity: 100 participants
• - Target Audience: Member companies of the Aichi Esports Federation and organizations exploring involvement in esports.
• - Fee: Free of charge
• - Registration: Click here

Note: This event requires advance reservations, primarily for member companies and businesses in the Aichi-Nagoya region, with a first-come-first-served basis for registration.

Day of the Event Program

1. Opening Remarks
2. Announcement of Japan's Esports Candidates: Report on ASIA esports EXPO 2026
- Presented by the Aichi-Nagoya Esports Promotion Committee
3. Insights into the Esports World Cup and Esports Nations Cup
- Presented by Ms. Misuzu Oda, Trade Manager - Japan, Saudi Arabian Tourism Authority
4. Ongoing Panel Discussion (TBD)
5. Networking Session

What is ASIA esports EXPO 2026?

The ASIA esports EXPO 2026 is a major esports event taking place on March 21-22, 2026, at the Aichi Sky Expo. During the main stage event, candidates for Japan’s esports team for the Asian Games will be finalized through qualifying competitions for titles such as Gran Turismo 7, Puyo Puyo Esports, eFootball™, Street Fighter 6, THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV, and Tekken 8. The candidate announcement will also include Pokémon Unite and Identity V - Asian Games Version on the second day. In addition to free admission, the expo area will feature engaging tournaments and experience booths tailored for audiences of all ages. With approximately 10,000 attendees and 380,000 views on our YouTube streams, the event promises to be a tremendous success.

Aichi Esports Federation Overview

Founded in February 2018 after evolving from the Aichi Prefectural Esports Association, the Aichi Esports Federation aims to unify and promote esports in the Aichi-Nagoya region. Recognized as a regional branch of the Japan Esports Union (JeSU), it has garnered commitment from local enterprises, governmental bodies, and educational institutions to forge partnerships and facilitate events like the ASIA esports EXPO.

Current Organizational Structure (As of May 2026)

• - Honorary Advisors:

- Governor Hideaki Omura (Aichi Prefecture)
- Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa (Nagoya City)

• - Advisors:

- Representative Member Eikei Suzuki
- Prefectural Assembly Member Mutsumi Teranishi

• - Managing Director: Masahiro Katagiri

Joining Aichi Esports Federation

The Aichi Esports Federation seeks partners—businesses that align with our vision and bypass local hurdles. At the present time, our membership spans 19 companies, illustrating our commitment to creating an inclusive esports environment. If you are considering entering the esports sector, please communicate with us for further information.

Media Inquiries: For media representatives wishing to cover this event, please contact us with your media name, representative's name, number of participants, and contact details.

Contact Information:
[email protected] (Aichi Esports Federation Secretariat)