For the first time in the history of the Asian Games, an Asiad was held in a non-capital city of the host country under the leadership of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah, the newly elected president of OCA. Levelled by atomic bomb during the World War II, for the City of Hiroshima in Japan, peace and harmony were the theme of the Games. It also marked the second Asiad to be held in Japan since third Asian Games in Tokyo, 1958. Cambodia made a return after 20 years. Former Soviet Republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were among the record 43 countries/NOCs and regions which participated.

Baseballl, karate, modern pentathlon and tennis were added to the list of disciplines.

South Korea emerged as the top hockey country of Asia. For the first time in Asian Games hockey, Pakistan did not win either a gold or a silver medal, being relegated to a bronze.

Inda lost to South Korea 2-3 in the hockey final.