Amid teen triumph and organisational chaos, Asian Games close in Japan
The continental competition hosted 17,000 athletes over two weeks in Aichi-Nagoya.

The continental competition hosted 17,000 athletes over two weeks in Aichi-Nagoya.

![A missile flies during what state media KCNA says is a test-launch of a strategic cruise missile designed to demonstrate the readiness posture of various nuclear capabilities, over the sea off the west coast of the Korean peninsula, February 26, 2025, in this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on February 27, 2025 [KCNA via Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2025-02-27T221106Z_1599805176_RC293DAIPBJF_RTRMADP_3_NORTHKOREA-MISSILES-1790737147.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)





![US President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, in Panmunjom, South Korea, June 30, 2019 [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/reuters_6a8ea146-1787732294.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)

Seoul says Kyiv agreed to a nondisclosure agreement over the prisoners but broke it.
South Korean presidential office ‘expresses strong regret over Ukraine’s unilateral disclosure’.
China’s Zhang Zhanshuo, 19, became the first swimmer to win seven golds at a single Asian Games.
The president criticised North Korea for using citizens like ‘currency’ to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine.
South Korean officers injured in DMZ explosion, possibly caused by a landmine, according to local media reports.

101 East meets innovators across East Asia using digital technology to transform how we grieve those we love.
The country rebukes the UN atomic agency’s ‘double standards’ and says nuclear status is ‘irreversible’.
Asian Games organisers in Japan accidently play North Korea’s anthem ahead of South’s hockey match with Bangladesh.
South Korean president will facilitate US-North Korea talks but will not deploy troops in US war on Iran.
In a cost-cutting move, Japan decided against setting up a dedicated athletes’ village but now faces a backlash.