Ai Ogura and MotoGP Deputy CEO Meet Japan Sports Agency Ahead of Motegi Home Race

Tokyo, Japan, September 30, 2026: MotoGP Deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta and Japanese rider Ai Ogura visited the Japan Sports Agency in Tokyo ahead of this weekend’s Motul Grand Prix of Japan. Ogura races for the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team.

The meeting comes just before Round 16 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, which takes place at Mobility Resort Motegi from 2 to 4 October.

Japan Sports Agency backs MotoGP and Ogura

Senior representatives of the agency expressed their support for MotoGP, the Japanese Grand Prix and Ogura. Ezpeleta and Ogura met Naoko Hirayama, Counsellor of the Japan Sports Agency. They discussed the importance of the Japanese Grand Prix, MotoGP’s contribution to international sport and tourism, and the positive impact motorsport can have on local communities.

Hirayama said Japan is proud to host the race at Motegi and described Ogura as one of the country’s leading athletes. She wished him success at his home event.

Ezpeleta: Japan holds a special place in MotoGP

Ezpeleta highlighted Japan’s role in the championship, pointing to its iconic manufacturers, passionate fans and racing legacy. He thanked the agency and the wider Japanese Government for their support. He also cited Ogura’s season as proof of the talent involved and of the success of development pathways such as the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup.

Ogura’s breakthrough season

Ogura is the only Japanese rider in the premier class, and he arrives at Motegi after a breakthrough year:

Le Mans: He finished third, becoming the first Moto4 Asia Cup graduate to score a MotoGP podium.
Assen: He became the first Japanese rider to win a MotoGP race since 2003.
Championship: He currently sits sixth in the World Championship standings.

This weekend is his first home race since those milestones.

Ogura said he was pleased by the government’s interest and called the meeting an important first step for Japanese motorsport. He hopes it leads to more visibility for motorsport across the country, and said it would be great to see officials like Hirayama attend a race weekend in the future.