Asia Games 2026 to Bring Together Athletes, Experts, and Companies: "Sports and Diversity" Forum to be Held on September 20

To coincide with the opening of the Asian Games, the "Asia Dialogue on Sport, Diversity and Society" conference, themed around sports, human rights, and diversity, will be held on September 20, 2026, at the Nagoya International Center. (Organizer: NPO Pride House Tokyo) On the day, activists, athletes, sports organizations, companies, researchers, and citizens from across Asia will gather to discuss "What constitutes sports where everyone can participate with peace of mind?"

Background to the Event: Challenges and Changing Environment Surrounding Sports

In September 2026, Aichi and Nagoya will host the Asian Games, the largest international sports competition in Asia, bringing together athletes from 45 countries and regions, and serving as a de facto qualifier for the Olympics. While it is expected to be an important opportunity to promote international exchange, mutual understanding, and peace through sports, challenges related to gender, sexuality, race, and disability remain in the competitive arena. In recent years, discussions on eligibility for transgender athletes and Differences of Sex Development (DSD), harassment issues, athlete mental health, and the impact of social divisions outside of sports venues have been debated in international competitions and sports communities worldwide.

Furthermore, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had previously published its "Framework on Fairness, Inclusivity and Non-Discrimination," calling for a sports environment free from exclusion based on gender identity or sexual orientation. However, on March 26, 2026, a significant policy shift was announced. The introduction of DNA testing for eligibility in women's events from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was decided, making it virtually impossible for transgender women to compete in the women's category. There is also the possibility of excluding female athletes with Differences of Sex Development (DSD) from the women's category, sparking strong concern and criticism from the UN, human rights organizations, and countries like France that generally prohibit genetic testing for non-medical purposes under domestic law, causing significant ripples.

What Constitutes Sports Where Everyone Can Participate with Peace of Mind? Athletes, Researchers, Companies, Sports Organizations, and Citizen Groups to Gather and Discuss

In the Asian region in particular, legal systems and social acceptance of LGBTQ+ vary greatly by country, leading to disparities in opportunities to participate in sports and in ensuring safety and security. In this context, it is crucial to consider the potential of sports to connect people and how to create an environment where everyone can participate with peace of mind.

Against this backdrop, this conference will bring together athletes, sports organizations, researchers, companies, and citizen groups from across Asia to discuss the theme of "What constitutes sports where everyone can participate with peace of mind?" Using the historic opportunity of the Asian Games as a catalyst, we aim to create a forum for enjoyable, serious, and forward-looking discussions on human rights, diversity, and inclusion through sports within Asia's diverse cultures and societies, rather than simply adopting Western models.

◆ Objectives

● To create a space where people can casually discuss human rights and diversity through sports.

● To provide opportunities for activists, athletes, sports stakeholders, companies, and citizens from across Asia to meet and connect.

● To consider an environment where people with various backgrounds, including LGBTQ+, can participate in sports with peace of mind.

● To share initiatives by sports organizations, companies, and civil society, and find hints for actions that can be taken starting tomorrow.

● To expand the network for considering sports and human rights in Asia, using the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Games as a springboard.

◆ Key Points of This Conference

● Cross-sector participation from athletes, researchers, and activists.

● Sharing the latest trends in international discussions on sports, human rights, and diversity.

● Contributing to social change through sports mega-events, looking ahead to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.

● Aiming to generate concrete actions within sports organizations, companies, and civil society.

◆ Target Audience

• Sports stakeholders, athletes, individuals involved in human rights and LGBTQ+ activities, corporate representatives, researchers, students, media personnel, and citizens interested in sports and social issues.

Program Details for the Day

On the day, experts from various sectors will take the stage, including current and former professional athletes, researchers, representatives from Olympic committees and professional leagues, citizen groups, and human rights activists from Asia. (Details to be announced later.)

Opening: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM (Doors Open / Registration)

Part 1: Panel Discussion 1: 11:30 AM - 1:15 PM

"Creating Safe and Secure Sports Environments with Athletes"

This session will involve dialogue on what constitutes a sports environment where everyone is respected, including safe sports practices, harassment prevention, and understanding diverse bodies and identities. Through the experiences and voices of athletes themselves, we will re-examine what safety and security mean in sports spaces.

Lunch Break: 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM (Networking)

Part 2: Panel Discussion 2: 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

"Legal Frameworks and LGBTQ+ in Asia: A Discussion with Asian Activists"

The legal systems and social situations surrounding LGBTQ+ vary across Asian countries, each with its own distinct historical and cultural background. In this session, activists and support groups from various countries will share the challenges and practices they face, while discussing rights protection and the role of civil society rooted in the Asian context.

Part 3: Talk Session: 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM

"What Can Sports Do in an Era of Deepening Divisions?"

While sports are increasingly expected to promote diversity and inclusion, they have also become spaces where conflicts and divisions related to gender, sexuality, race, and religion are made visible. This session will examine exclusion and division in sports from multiple perspectives, focusing on the IOC's policy announced on March 26 regarding the introduction of genetic testing, and discuss more inclusive sports environments and societies.

Part 4: Panel Discussion 3: 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM

"Pride Actions by Sports Organizations"

This session will share initiatives for LGBTQ+ inclusion by sports organizations and companies both domestically and internationally, and discuss the creation of inclusive environments in sports venues, workplaces, and fan communities. It will explore not only institutional development but also changes in daily practices and organizational culture.

Closing: 6:15 PM - 6:30 PM Closing Remarks and Message for the Future

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

◆ Event Overview

Name: Asia Dialogue on Sport, Diversity and Society

(Japanese Name: スポーツ・多様性・社会を考えるアジア対話フォーラム)

Date and Time: September 20, 2026 (Sunday) 11:00 AM - 6:30 PM

Venue: Nagoya International Center, NIC Annex Hall

Organizer: NPO Pride House Tokyo

Co-organizers/Collaborators: NPO ASTA, Nagoya Rainbow Pride, etc.

Grant: The Nippon Foundation

Sponsorship: Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC)

Target Audience: Sports stakeholders, athletes, individuals involved in human rights and LGBTQ+ activities, corporate representatives, researchers, students, media, and citizens.

【About NPO Pride House Tokyo】

Launched as a project involving organizations, individuals, companies, and embassies from various sectors, aiming to broaden understanding of LGBTQ+ with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a catalyst. Currently, under the themes of "Learning Together," "Supporting Together," and "Acting Together," it plans and implements collaborative programs and provides various events and content related to diversity. On October 11, 2020, it opened and operates "Pride House Tokyo Legacy," Japan's first permanent, large-scale comprehensive LGBTQ+ center, near Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station.

Official Website: https://pridehouse.jp/

【What is Pride House Tokyo Legacy?】

"Pride House Tokyo Legacy" is a permanent, comprehensive LGBTQ+ center with open doors for everyone. Its purpose is to disseminate LGBTQ+ information and provide a safe and secure space.

Official Website: https://pridehouse.jp/legacy/

【What is Pride House Tokyo Consortium?】

"Pride House Tokyo" plans and implements various collaborative programs divided into the themes of "Learning Together," "Supporting Together," and "Acting Together," in collaboration with NPOs and individuals engaged in LGBTQ+ and social activities.

(※ In Japanese syllabary order / As of June 2026)

Organizations (Total: 15 Organizations)

◎ NPO akta

◎ NPO Anata no SOGIE

◎ NPO Colorful Change Lab

◎ Thousand Books PRIDE Series

◎ Volunteer Group Sign Language Friends

◎ Volunteer Group Diversity Lounge Toyama

◎ Volunteer Group Reading Salon

◎ NPO Nijiiro Kazoku

◎ Certified NPO Place Tokyo

◎ Volunteer Group Mushimegane no Kai

◎ Volunteer Group UDA (University Diversity Alliance)

◎ Volunteer Group Ritsuniji (formerly Teachers' Association Aiming for Diversity)

◎ Certified NPO ReBit

◎ Volunteer Group Rainbow Soup

◎ Volunteer Group Rainbow Tokyo Kitaku

Companies (Total: 27)

〈Rainbow〉

◎ Panasonic Connect Co., Ltd.

〈Platinum〉

◎ ABeam Consulting Ltd.

◎ EY Japan Corporation

◎ NTT Corporation

◎ MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.

◎ Gilead Sciences, Inc.

◎ Salesforce Japan Co., Ltd.

◎ Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.

◎ Nomura Holdings, Inc.

◎ Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

〈Gold〉

◎ Accenture Corporation

◎ ASICS Corporation

◎ Suntory Holdings Limited

◎ Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.

◎ Persol Career Co., Ltd.

◎ Visa Worldwide Japan Co., Ltd.

◎ Fujitsu Limited

◎ Bristol Myers Squibb Company

◎ Meiji Co., Ltd.

〈Silver〉

◎ AINET Corporation

◎ Aero Toyota Co., Ltd.

◎ DAZN Japan Investment LLC

◎ Toyota Motor Corporation

◎ Oracle Japan Corporation

◎ Hakuto Co., Ltd.

◎ Fuyo General Lease Co., Ltd.

◎ Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd.