Cricket is set to play a major role at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, with organisers working under a challenging 17-month preparation window to build facilities capable of hosting some of Asia’s leading cricket teams. According to Japan Cricket Association (JCA) CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji, preparations in Aichi Prefecture effectively started from scratch as there were no cricket venues meeting the required standards when the process began.

Speaking to India Today, Miyaji said the playing surface at the Asian Games would be among the best seen during cricket’s participation in the continental multi-sport event. Despite the limited preparation time, organisers have focused on creating a venue that can provide players and officials with suitable facilities. The cricket competition is being organised by the Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC) in partnership with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

While the JCA is not directly responsible for staging the cricket tournament, it has been supporting the organisers in several areas. According to Miyaji, AINAGOC and the ACC have worked closely to maximise the available resources and deliver the best possible cricket facilities within the short timeframe.

The venue at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin will feature a full-size cricket ground with turf and hybrid pitches. Experienced curators have been brought in to prepare the playing surface, while Sri Lanka Cricket has also provided expertise in pitch preparation.Miyaji acknowledged that the organisers face certain limitations but said the facilities are being developed with the objective of creating a comfortable environment for participating teams and match officials.

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The venue will include both temporary and permanent facilities. While several facilities around the playing area will be temporary, AINAGOC has been working with the ACC for more than a year to determine what can realistically be delivered within the venue’s restrictions. Player welfare has also been considered during the planning process. Miyaji clarified that toilets will be available in player areas, while permanent facilities around the ground will also be accessible to participating teams.

Accommodation has emerged as another important aspect of preparations. Some full-member cricket boards reportedly wanted representatives to inspect accommodation facilities in Japan amid concerns about room sizes at the Games Village and overall standards.

The playing surface and field will be the best seen in cricket’s inclusion in the Asian Games: Japan cricket CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji#AsianGames #Crickethttps://t.co/d9NP0ErHtA

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) September 2, 2026

Miyaji said the ACC has been discussing accommodation arrangements with AINAGOC for a considerable period and that cricket teams will be offered hotel accommodation. Teams will also have the option of arranging their own accommodation if they prefer. Unlike cricket, some other sports at the Asian Games are expected to have more unconventional accommodation arrangements, including cruise ships and container hotels.

Beyond infrastructure, the JCA is also using the Asian Games as an opportunity to grow cricket at the grassroots level in Japan. Although it is not directly organising the competition, the association has taken the sport to schools and shopping centres across the region, receiving an enthusiastic response from local communities.

The JCA is also counting on support from Nisshin City. Miyaji expressed confidence that the local community would strongly back the event and help create a positive atmosphere around the cricket competition. Japan has previous experience hosting international cricket matches and tournaments, which Miyaji believes will help organisers identify potential issues before the Asian Games begin. He acknowledged that concerns are inevitable ahead of a major sporting event but said they can also help organisers make necessary improvements.

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The Asian Games will represent an important milestone for cricket in Japan. With some of Asia’s leading cricket teams expected to compete, the tournament could provide the sport with unprecedented exposure in the country.

For the JCA, the objective goes beyond successfully hosting the event. The association hopes the Asian Games will introduce cricket to new audiences, attract greater local interest and provide another boost to the sport’s development in Japan. With AINAGOC, the ACC and the JCA working together, organisers will now look to turn the ambitious preparations into a successful cricket tournament when the Asian Games arrive.