TOKYO: Japanese organisers admit public awareness of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya "needs to be higher" as they look to ramp up interest with Friday (Sep 18) marking a year to go until the start of the sporting spectacular.

The pandemic-delayed 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China, featured about 12,000 athletes - the biggest Asian Games in history, boasting more competitors than the Olympics.

Hosts Japan hope next year's event, when athletes will stay on a "floating village" cruise ship and in converted shipping containers, will make a similar splash.

Kazuhiro Yagi, vice-secretary general of the Aichi-Nagoya Games organising committee, told AFP that excitement was still muted, but he is confident it will build over the coming 12 months.

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