Aichi Prefecture and its capital Nagoya have been put forward by the Japanese Olympic Committee to host the 2026 Asian Games ©Wikipedia

A joint bid from Aichi Prefecture and its capital Nagoya to host the 2026 Asian Games has been approved by the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) after the two parties reached an agreement, it has been announced. 

Representatives of Nagoya city and Aichi Prefecture visited the JOC office earlier this week to resume talks regarding a joint bid.

Discussions between the two sides floundered last week after the central Japanese prefecture had not come up with detailed cost estimates.

"It's regrettable things got confusing toward the end," JOC secretary general Eisuke Hiraoka told Japanese agency Kyodo News.

"It could become a matter of international trust. 

"We hope they will positively proceed with the matter."

Aichi's Prefectural Government has since indicated to Nagoya that total costs are estimated to reach roughly ¥85 billion (£623 million/$823 million/€732 million), out of which ¥25 billion (£185 million/$244 million/€200 million) is expected to be covered by sponsorships and other revenue.

The Prefecture is expected to pay two-thirds of the remainder and Nagoya the rest.

The JOC Executive Board met in Tokyo and decided that the two local Governments will be required to submit an attested official document agreeing to co-host the Games.

If Aichi Prefecture and its capital Nagoya is selected to host the 2026 Asian Games it will be the first time they have been held in Japan since Hiroshima in 1994 ©Mayor of Nagoya
If Aichi Prefecture and its capital Nagoya is selected to host the 2026 Asian Games it will be the first time they have been held in Japan since Hiroshima in 1994 ©Mayor of Nagoya

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is expected to select the host location at its General Assembly in Danang in Vietnam on September 25.

"There are expectations that we would be able to lead the event to success if we jointly host it," Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura told Kyodo News.

Last year, OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah told insidethegames that "many cities were interested in bidding" for the Asian Games in 2026, but the "Asian tradition" is to favour one pre-meditated choice over an election-process.

Should Japan be awarded the summer edition of the Asian Games, it would be the third time the event would be held in the country following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.

Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia are due to host the 2018 Asian Games.

They were selected following the withdrawal of original host, Hanoi in Vietnam, for economic reasons.

Hangzhou in China was selected to stage the 2022 Asian Games by the OCA at its General Assembly in Ashgabat last September after they were the only bidder.