First-Ever Cruise Ship Accommodations for Asian Games, But Controversy Arises Over Toyotomi Hideyoshi

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For the first time in the history of the Asian Games, an ultra-large cruise ship will be used as athlete accommodation. However, controversy has erupted after a figure portraying Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the mastermind behind the Japanese invasions of Korea, appeared at the cruise's welcome event.

Reporter Yu Byeongmin is live from the site.

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An ultra-large cruise ship docked at Nagoya's Kinjo Pier boasts a magnificent view.

Having departed from Busan and arrived in Nagoya, this vessel is the Costa Serena, which will serve as accommodation for athletes during the Games.

The organizing committee rented the ship for approximately 39 billion won over a period of three weeks to use it as lodging instead of an athletes' village, marking the first time in history that a cruise ship has been deployed as an official athletes' village for an international multi-sport event.

[Omura Hideaki / President, Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee: I am truly delighted that we are able to host a large-scale international sporting event with a new accommodation format.]

Measuring 290 meters in length—taller than the 63 Building—and standing as high as a 14-story apartment building, the Costa Serena is scheduled to accommodate 4,000 athletes across 1,500 rooms. True to its luxury cruise status, it is equipped with various convenience facilities including restaurants and swimming pools.

Athletes from 17 sports, including South Korea's table tennis and judo teams, have been assigned to the cruise athletes' village for a unique experience.

However, controversy has arisen as a performer dressed as Toyotomi Hideyoshi—who launched the Japanese invasions of Korea—appeared on stage during the opening performance prepared by the organizing committee.

Five years ago during the Tokyo Olympics, the South Korean delegation hung a banner on the outer wall of the athletes' village inspired by a famous quote from Admiral Yi Sun-shin. Japanese media raised issues, claiming it carried a political message, and far-right groups held protests in front of the athletes' village, leading to the removal of the banner.

The organizing committee explained that Toyotomi, along with Oda and Tokugawa, are historical figures from the Nagoya region, and that the performance was meant to welcome the opening of the Games. Nevertheless, criticism seems unavoidable that featuring such a figure is inappropriate for a "festival of peace."

(Video footage captured by: Kim Se-kyung | Video edited by: Park Choon-bae | Design: Kim Min-young | Video provided by: YouTube HB Tour)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.