The organizing committee for the 2026 Asian Games has decided to scrap a plan to build an athletes village to trim costs. Japan's Aichi Prefecture will host most of the events.

The decision was made at the committee's executive board meeting in the prefecture's Nagoya City on Monday.

At the meeting, Aichi Governor Ohmura Hideaki, the committee's president, said large sports events paid for with taxpayers' money are being more closely scrutinized than ever following scandals related to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

He stressed that preparations should be carried out with the understanding and support of local residents.

He also said cost-cutting is necessary in light of the increasing difficulty of finding sponsors and the soaring costs of materials.

He cited these factors as reasons for axing the athletes village. It was initially expected to be built on the former site of a horse racing track in Nagoya. Existing hotels are being eyed as accommodations for the athletes instead.

The committee says it expects to finalize its decision around this autumn following inspections by a governing body of sports, the Olympic Council of Asia, or the OCA.

The board also decided to select ad agencies with an international stable of sponsors, and not be limited to leading domestic ad agencies.

Prior to the meeting, Ohmura told reporters that the committee is considering whether to reduce the number of sports and the size of individual teams.

He said the committee is in talks with the OCA about the possibility of dropping sports that are outside the 32 Olympic sports.