Here's the thing about racing on home soil: the weight of an entire nation travels with you into the paddock. Ahead of Round 16 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, MotoGP Deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta and Japanese MotoGP star Ai Ogura made a vital stop in Tokyo, visiting the Japan Sports Agency as excitement builds for the Motul Grand Prix of Japan.
During the meeting in Tokyo, Ezpeleta and Ogura sat down with Naoko Hirayama, Counsellor of the Japan Sports Agency. The high-level talk centered on the significance of the Japanese Grand Prix, the championship's contribution to international sport and tourism, and how motorsport drives a positive impact in local communities. Senior representatives of the agency expressed clear support for MotoGP, the event itself, and Ogura as he prepares to race in front of his home fans following a history-making season.
Naoko Hirayama shared her thoughts on the visit: “The history of MotoGP and motorsport in Japan is extremely rich, and we are proud to host the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi. It was an honour to welcome Carlos Ezpeleta and Ai Ogura to Tokyo to discuss how we can build on MotoGP's strong foundations in Japan and continue to grow the sport for future generations. Ai is one of Japan’s leading athletes, and we wish him every success at his home race this weekend.”
For Ogura, who rides for the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team, this visit arrives right in the middle of a breakthrough campaign. As the sole Japanese rider competing in the premier class, he brings serious milestones back to Mobility Resort Motegi. Earlier this year, he became the first graduate of MotoGP's Moto4 Asia Cup to score a MotoGP podium with a third-place finish at Le Mans, before taking a monumental victory at Assen to become the first Japanese rider since 2003 to win a MotoGP race. His meteoric rise highlights the true strength of development pathways like the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup.
Carlos Ezpeleta emphasized the deep connection between the series and the country: “Japan holds a special place in the history and future of MotoGP. It is home to some of the sport's most iconic manufacturers, a passionate fanbase, and a remarkable racing legacy that continues to shape our championship.” Ezpeleta also noted the pride in returning to Motegi alongside the support of the wider Japanese Government, pointing directly to Ogura's historic achievements this season.
Following the government visit, Ogura turned his attention straight to the fans, attending MotoGP's official Fan Festival to celebrate his campaign with local supporters. Currently sitting 6th in the World Championship leaderboard, the home hero summed up the significance of the day: “I’m very happy to receive this kind of interest from our government and I appreciate the effort Carlos is making. I think in Japanese motorsports we need to make a first step, which we did today. I think for Japanese sports and MotoGP it was important to share some ideas and information. I hope we can continue on this path and make motorsport more visible all over the county. I believe if people like Hirayama san would attend the race weekend in the future, that would be great. I’m looking forward to arrive in Motegi myself and to see all the fans there.”
Motegi has hosted top-tier motorcycle racing for over two decades, welcoming over 90,000 fans to last year's event—the circuit's largest crowd in five years. Now, the 2026 Motul Grand Prix of Japan takes place from 2 to 4 October at Mobility Resort Motegi, ready to write the next chapter of racing history.
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