Asian Games 2026 mascot HONOHON and slogan Imagine One Asia: All you need to know

The 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, will bring athletes from across the continent together in Japan from September 19 to October 4. Alongside the sporting action, the Games will also be represented by a distinctive mascot and a host-city slogan designed to reflect the culture and identity of the region.

The official mascot of the Asian Games 2026 is HONOHON, while the official slogan is “Imagine One Asia.”

What is the slogan of Asian Games 2026?

The official slogan for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 is “Imagine One Asia.”

Its Japanese version is "ここで、ひとつに。" (Koko de, hitotsu ni), which translates to “Become One Here.”

The slogan was announced on April 1, 2020, six years before the Games, and was created by copywriter Waka Sakamoto.

The idea behind the slogan is to highlight the ability of sport to bring people together across differences in language, culture and nationality. It encourages people across Asia to imagine a shared future and a sense of unity through sport.

The wider Asian Games movement continues to use the motto “Ever Onward”, while “Imagine One Asia” is specific to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 edition.

Who is HONOHON, the Asian Games 2026 mascot?

HONOHON (ホノホン) is the official mascot of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.

HONOHON was unveiled on July 14, 2024, after its design was selected from 264 entries on June 11, 2024. The mascot was designed by graphic designer Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, who was born in Shiga Prefecture and is based in Nagakute, Aichi.

HONOHON's design combines the fiery passion of athletes with the Shachihoko, the tiger-headed fish associated with Nagoya Castle and the Aichi-Nagoya region.

The mascot's name comes from honoho (火の穂), a term associated with the origin of the Japanese word for flame. The name was chosen to have a friendly, approachable sound.

HONOHON is presented as an athlete, supporter and cheerleader for the Games.

The mascot has no gender and is described as newly born, with its place of birth being “inside the hearts of athletes.” HONOHON is curious and hardworking, enjoys playing sports and has red as its favourite colour.

Its design also carries several symbolic elements. The large eyes represent watching over athletes across Asia, while the red kumadori makeup around the eyes draws on Kabuki traditions and Aichi-Nagoya's cultural history.

Its Shachihoko-inspired ears are said to hear children's laughter and cheers from across Asia, while its flame-like red-and-white body represents the passion associated with sport.

Interestingly, HONOHON's favourite phrase is also “Imagine One Asia.”

What do the Asian Games 2026 emblem and colours mean?

The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 emblem was unveiled on April 1, 2020 and designed by Hiroshi Miyashita.

Its flowing curves represent the liveliness of sport, while a central line in purple, gold and green leads towards the red sun of the Olympic Council of Asia. The design also incorporates the letters A and N, representing Asia, Aichi and Nagoya.

The colours have their own regional symbolism. Purple represents the iris, Aichi's prefectural flower, gold represents the kinshachi ornaments of Nagoya Castle, and green reflects environmental awareness and the region's environmental initiatives.

The Asian Para Games 2026, which will be held in the same host region from October 18 to 24, will have its own mascot, Uzumin, designed as a water-themed counterpart to the fire-themed HONOHON.