According to a report by the Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun on October 7, Daisuke Oomura, chairman of the organizing committee for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, expressed his disapproval of the Thai delegation's complaints about poor food conditions, stating that he did not wish for their participation. This statement caused a strong backlash in Thailand. Social media in Thailand was filled with criticism, with comments such as "Arrogant and self-important. We don't want such people to come to Thailand" and "Japans always blame others instead of reflecting on themselves."
According to reports, during the Asian Games, the head coach of the Thailand football team posted a message on social media, complaining that the meals offered at the event were insufficient in quantity and had too few options. He also uploaded photos, which sparked heated discussions among netizens. Several Thai media outlets also reported this incident.
The Taekwondo event was officially included in the competition program in February this year at the request of the Olympic Council. The organizing committee is not responsible for operational matters or funding; these tasks are handled by the relevant sports organizations. Regarding the controversial catering, the Japanese organizing committee stated in September that "the catering was not provided by the organizing committee."
On October 6th local time, as he reviewed the event at a press conference, Hideo Ohmura still couldn't hide his dissatisfaction. He criticized the Thai delegation, saying, "It's really excessive to complain about 'only this kind of food'. I doubt they came to compete; I wonder if they came just to gain attention."
Then he said, "I really don't understand what they are here for. I hope they didn't come at all."
These remarks have sparked criticism in Thailand. Some Japanese netizens have also criticized Oomura Hideshi, suggesting that he should focus on clarifying the facts and reduce emotional statements. Additionally, some netizens pointed out that although catering is not under the responsibility of the organizing committee, problems such as delayed buses and chaotic accommodation and transportation do indeed exist. The organizers bear some responsibility for these issues and should take a humble look at their mistakes, rather than blaming others.
