STORY: A large crowd gathered in Nagoya on Saturday (September 19) to watch Japanese fighter jets' aerobatic display marking the opening of the 2026 Asian Games.

Six fighter jets from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) aerobatic squadron, nicknamed the Blue Impulse, flew past the landmark of Nagoya’s TV Tower and drew a heart over a clear sky in the capital.

"I was really moved to be able to see it (aerobatics) today. The weather was great, too. I really hope all the athletes do their best here in Nagoya,” said 55-year-old Koki Ikeda who came to watch the aerobatics with his wife and their pet parrot.

Five years after the Tokyo Olympics unfolded to empty stadiums, the Asian Games offer Japan another chance to throw open the gates to fans and enjoy a major multi-sport event with a proper atmosphere.

However, before the Games finally open Saturday (September 19), it has been a low-key mood among some locals.

“When Tokyo hosted the Olympics, it was a nationwide event. With the Asian Games being held here in Nagoya, I feel there hasn’t been quite as much excitement,” said 56-year-old Homare Takeda who plans to go watching cricket.

“But the TV broadcast starts today, so I think the Games will really start spreading excitement across the country,” he added.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: NAGOYA, JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 19, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. JAPAN AIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCE AEROBATIC SQUADRON "BLUE IMPULSE” FLYING ACROSS SKY

2. VARIOUS OF FIGHTER JETS FLYING PAST NAGOYA TV TOWER

3. CROWD WATCHING AND TAKING PHOTOS ON PHONE

4. FIGHTER JETS FLYING PAST TOWER

5. TRAIL IN SKY AND TOWER

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 55-YEAR-OLD LOCAL RESIDENT IN NAGOYA, KOKI IKEDA, SAYING:

"I was really moved to be able to see it (aerobatics) today. The weather was great, too. I really hope all the athletes do their best here in Nagoya.”

7. FIGHTER JETS FLYING IN SKY

8. MAN HOLDING PHONE

9. VARIOUS OF FIGHTER JETS DRAWING HEART IN SKY

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 56-YEAR-OLD LOCAL RESIDENT IN NAGOYA, HOMARE TAKEDA, SAYING:

“When Tokyo hosted the Olympics, it was a nationwide event. With the Asian Games being held here in Nagoya, I feel there hasn’t been quite as much excitement, but the TV broadcast starts today, so I think the Games will really start spreading excitement across the country.”

11. VARIOUS OF AEROBATIC PERFORMANCE

12. NAGOYA TV TOWER

13. PEOPLE HOLDING PHONES

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) LOCAL RESIDENT IN NAGOYA, AYAKO NAKAYAMA, SAYING:

"There is a lot going on in the world right now, but I hope that during the Games, everyone can respect each other and that it will be a wonderful sporting event.”

15. CROWD ON LOOKING IN FRONT OF TV TOWER

16. MAN HOLDING PHONE