FEATURE: IG Arena opens with promise to make Nagoya a must-visit city
Designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the oval-shaped hybrid indoor arena opened in the Aichi Prefecture capital on July 13. It hosted the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament as its inaugural event.
With a maximum capacity of 17,000 people, it is among the largest indoor venues in Japan. Local businesses hope the arena can combat the "bypass Nagoya" phenomenon in which popular touring events skip the city and the broader Chukyo area in central Japan.
At the May 31 ceremony commemorating the arena's completion, Aichi Gov. Hideaki Omura stressed that the new venue "will bolster the future" of the prefecture.
The main arena has an area of 4,600 square meters and 15,000 seats. The bowl design gives spectators an immersive viewing experience, and it also features a giant eight-sided, center-hanging jumbo screen, visible from every seat in the venue.
With a ceiling of roughly 30 meters, one of the highest in the world, the arena can host concerts that feature enormous stage installations.
NTT Docomo Inc. is a major shareholder in Aichi International Arena Co., which manages IG Arena. The telecommunications company provides the new facility with technologies such as the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network that will enable performances to be broadcast to people watching in remote locations.
Major events have already been scheduled at the arena, including a performance by British musician Sting in September and figure skating's Grand Prix Final in December.
Construction of more arena projects under the "Sports Open Innovation" initiative of the Japan Sports Agency and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is ongoing. The authorities aim to promote economic growth via sport.
As of January, the agency reported that 45 construction and renovation projects were under way. Major information technology company DeNA Co. and railway operator Keikyu Corp. are building an entertainment complex featuring a 15,000-seat arena in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. The complex is set to open in 2030.
The B-League, Japan's top professional basketball league, has set requirements for teams to join its new "Premiere" top division, to be launched in 2026. The league mandates that teams must have a home arena with a seating capacity of at least 5,000, driving the current boom in construction.
In this competitive environment, facilities must differentiate themselves to thrive. IG Arena should not serve as a "mere venue," but rather have a unique selling point: "If it's this event, IG Arena is the place to hold it," said Eiji Ito, a professor at Chukyo University's School of Health and Sport Sciences.
Nagoya already has the Vantelin Dome Nagoya, which has a maximum capacity of 50,000 and is primarily used as the Chunichi Dragons baseball team's home stadium. Opened in 1997 as Nagoya Dome, it has also hosted large music concerts.
The absence of a 10,000 to 20,000-seat multipurpose arena has led event organizers to avoid Nagoya in the past.
Anschutz Entertainment Group, an American multinational entertainment company in a naming rights partnership with Aichi International Arena, is expected to facilitate the hosting of international sports events and performances by overseas artists at IG Arena.
"We will host events unique to Nagoya and draw people into the city," said Hisato Hiroshi, president and chief executive of Aichi International Arena.
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The Mainichi
11 minutes ago
- The Mainichi
IG Arena opens with promise to make Nagoya a must-visit city
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Japan is making a major push to construct new multipurpose arenas outside Tokyo and Osaka, with IG Arena in Nagoya -- Japan's third largest metropolis -- the latest high-tech addition. Designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the oval-shaped hybrid indoor arena opened in the Aichi Prefecture capital on July 13. It hosted the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament as its inaugural event. With a maximum capacity of 17,000 people, it is among the largest indoor venues in Japan. Local businesses hope the arena can combat the "bypass Nagoya" phenomenon in which popular touring events skip the city and the broader Chukyo area in central Japan. At the May 31 ceremony commemorating the arena's completion, Aichi Gov. Hideaki Omura stressed that the new venue "will bolster the future" of the prefecture. The main arena has an area of 4,600 square meters and 15,000 seats. The bowl design gives spectators an immersive viewing experience, and it also features a giant eight-sided, center-hanging jumbo screen, visible from every seat in the venue. With a ceiling of roughly 30 meters, one of the highest in the world, the arena can host concerts that feature enormous stage installations. NTT Docomo Inc. is a major shareholder in Aichi International Arena Co., which manages IG Arena. The telecommunications company provides the new facility with technologies such as the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network that will enable performances to be broadcast to people watching in remote locations. Major events have already been scheduled at the arena, including a performance by British musician Sting in September and figure skating's Grand Prix Final in December. Construction of more arena projects under the "Sports Open Innovation" initiative of the Japan Sports Agency and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is ongoing. The authorities aim to promote economic growth via sport. As of January, the agency reported that 45 construction and renovation projects were under way. Major information technology company DeNA Co. and railway operator Keikyu Corp. are building an entertainment complex featuring a 15,000-seat arena in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. The complex is set to open in 2030. The B-League, Japan's top professional basketball league, has set requirements for teams to join its new "Premiere" top division, to be launched in 2026. The league mandates that teams must have a home arena with a seating capacity of at least 5,000, driving the current boom in construction. In this competitive environment, facilities must differentiate themselves to thrive. IG Arena should not serve as a "mere venue," but rather have a unique selling point: "If it's this event, IG Arena is the place to hold it," said Eiji Ito, a professor at Chukyo University's School of Health and Sport Sciences. Nagoya already has the Vantelin Dome Nagoya, which has a maximum capacity of 50,000 and is primarily used as the Chunichi Dragons baseball team's home stadium. Opened in 1997 as Nagoya Dome, it has also hosted large music concerts. The absence of a 10,000 to 20,000-seat multipurpose arena has led event organizers to avoid Nagoya in the past. Anschutz Entertainment Group, an American multinational entertainment company in a naming rights partnership with Aichi International Arena, is expected to facilitate the hosting of international sports events and performances by overseas artists at IG Arena. "We will host events unique to Nagoya and draw people into the city," said Hisato Hiroshi, president and chief executive of Aichi International Arena. (By Eri Shinagawa)
Asahi Shimbun
17 hours ago
- Asahi Shimbun
As Trump cracks down on college student visas, other countries see opportunity
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After reversing course, the government paused new appointments for student visas while rolling out a process for screening applicants' social media accounts. The U.S. remains the first choice for many international students, but institutions elsewhere are recognizing opportunity in the upheaval, and applicants are considering destinations they might have otherwise overlooked. The impact on U.S. universities — and the nation's economy — may be significant. New international enrollment in the U.S. could drop by 30% to 40% this fall, according to an analysis of visa and enrollment data by NAFSA, an agency that promotes international education. That would deprive the U.S. economy of $7 billion in spending, according to the analysis. Many international students pay full price, so their absence would also hurt college budgets. As the second most popular destination for international students, Britain is positioned to benefit. The country's new Labor government has vowed to cut migration, and officials have imposed time limits on post-study visas allowing graduates to stay and work. But admissions consultants say the United Kingdom is still seen as the most welcoming of the traditional 'big four' English-speaking destinations in higher education — the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia. After declining last year, the number of international applications for undergraduate study in the U.K. this fall grew by 2.2%, official figures show. A record number of applications came from China, up 10% compared with the previous year. Applications from the U.S. also reached nearly 8,000 students — an increase of 14% and a 20-year high. Acceptances of international students for graduate programs in the U.K. grew an estimated 10% from last year, driven by demand for business and management courses in particular, according to data from UniQuest, which works with many British universities on admissions. Data showing the extent of any impact will not be available until fall, said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, a consultancy that works with colleges in the U.S., Canada and Europe. 'But the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the U.K. is the one that is benefiting,' he said. Demand from Chinese students has risen rapidly for universities places in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, said Will Kwong, managing director of AAS Education, a consultancy in Hong Kong. Many Western universities have offshore campuses there that are more affordable than going to the U.S. or U.K. 'Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID-19,' Kwong said. 'But obviously it's been exacerbated by the change of administration in the U.S.' Some Asian families have told him the U.S. is no longer their clear first choice because of political turbulence and visa difficulties, many are still waiting for U.S. visa interviews and will likely miss the start of the fall term, Kwong said. Chinese college student Alisa, who is studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program this fall at the University of California, Berkeley. She hopes to pursue a master's degree in the U.S. But she is also looking into other options 'just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs,' said Alisa, who spoke on condition of partial anonymity out of fear of being targeted. Hong Kong will welcome any students who are denied entry to the U.S., the city's leader John Lee has said. Last year, the Chinese territory decided to allow international students to work part-time. Hong Kong University said it has received over 500 inquiries from students in the U.S. and is processing around 200 applications for transfer. At another school, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, international undergraduate applications have surged by 40% from last year, said Alison Lloyd, associate provost on institutional data and research. Countries including the United Arab Emirates have invested heavily in attracting international students by partnering with universities elsewhere to host branch campuses. These arrangements could appeal to students who fear being denied access to the U.S. Dubai, which has designs on becoming a global education hub, hosts dozens of international institutions' satellite campuses. It saw international student numbers grow by a third in 2024-2025. Lisa Johnson, principal of Dubai's private American Academy for Girls, said her mostly Emirati student body is increasingly looking away from the U.S. for college. 'Every student wants and dreams to go to Harvard,' she said. 'But as college options increase in the United Arab Emirates, more and more students are staying.' Kazakhstan has similar ambitions, said Daniel Palm, who has helped U.S. universities set up campuses abroad. Illinois Tech and the University of Arizona are among colleges offering degree programs in the Central Asian country, drawing students mostly from China and Russia. 'All of a sudden U.S. colleges are asking how to provide diversity, provide access,' Palm said, 'because you have students who want to come to the U.S. and can't.'
Yomiuri Shimbun
20 hours ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Sumo Scene / ‘Gomenfuda' Signage Stand as Remnant of Edo Sumo Tournaments Fundraising for Shrines, Temples
The present-day grand sumo tournament originated from 'kanjin zumo,' — events held to raise funds for temples or shrines during the Edo period (1603-1867) — and many customs remain that are closely tied to ones from those bygone days. As fans enter the grounds of the venue for a tournament, they may notice a large, vertical sign with the words 'gomen komuru' written in the large font specific to sumo. This is called a 'gomen-fuda,' which long ago was a sort of legal permit for the tournament. During the Edo period, when sumo matches were held to raise funds to construct a shrine or temple building, official authorization from the magistrate of shrines and temples was required. The sign was erected as proof of permission, and, it is said, to serve to widely announce the holding of the sumo tournament in town. The phrase 'gomen komuru' means permission granted by the shogunate. The present-day gomen-fuda continues that tradition, with the signs placed outside each venue several weeks before the start of a tournament. The name of the event organizer, in this case the Japan Sumo Association, is written in large characters below the tournament schedule and the venue name. On the day the placard is erected, the association hosts an event called a 'gomen-iwai' (permission celebration), to which concerned parties are invited and a banquet is held as an appeal for the successful holding of the tournament. This can be regarded as one of the charming old traditions of the sumo world. At IG Arena in Nagoya, which began a new history as the venue for the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, a gomen-fuda was erected near the entrance and remained in place until the final day of the tourney. Up to last year, when the tournament was held at Aichi Prefectural Gym, the gomen-fuda was erected near the east gate of Nagoya Castle. The sign blended in well against the castle's stone walls. With the change of venue, however, the look changed completely. The coexistence of a cultural tradition that has survived since the Edo period and the huge arena that boasts cutting-edge amenities offered a refreshing contrast. This month, a gomen-fuda will be erected in front of Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan in preparation for the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in September. Seeing the gomen-fuda blend in with the Ryogoku neighborhood, certainly many people sense the change in seasons, reminded that the grand tournament is due to start soon. I hope that such positive traditions continue to be treasured. — Kamimura is a sumo expert.
