Which was the first Asian city to host the Summer Olympic Games?

Introduction / Context:
The history of the Olympic Games includes important milestones when new continents and regions first hosted the event. One such milestone was when an Asian city hosted the Summer Olympics for the first time. This question asks you to identify that pioneering Asian city, making it a classic topic in sports history and general knowledge examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The focus is on the first Asian city to host the Summer Olympics. • Several cities are listed, including some from Asia and one from Europe. • You must choose the correct city based on Olympic history.

Concept / Approach:
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, became the first Asian city to host the Summer Olympic Games in 1964. Beijing and Seoul later hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008 and 1988 respectively, while Singapore has not hosted the Summer Olympics, although it hosted the first Youth Olympic Games in 2010. Moscow is a European city and hosted the 1980 Summer Olympics, not the first Asian Games. Therefore, Tokyo is the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
• Step 1: Recall that Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964, a major global event at that time. • Step 2: Recognize that this was the first time the Summer Olympics were held in Asia. • Step 3: Note that Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics later, in 2008. • Step 4: Understand that Moscow, while once a host city, is not in Asia for Olympic classification, and Singapore has not yet hosted the Summer Games. • Step 5: Select Tokyo as the first Asian city to host the Summer Olympics.

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical Olympic records list each host city and year. For 1964, they identify Tokyo, Japan as the host of the Summer Olympics, and note that this was the first time the Games took place in Asia. Later entries mention Seoul 1988 and Beijing 2008. None of these sources list Moscow or Singapore as the first Asian host city. This cross checking confirms that Tokyo holds that distinction.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
• Moscow: Host of the 1980 Summer Olympics and located in Europe, not the first Asian host. • Beijing: Hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008, but this was decades after Tokyo 1964. • Singapore: Has not hosted the Summer Olympics; only the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.

Common Pitfalls:
Exam candidates sometimes confuse the order of Asian host cities, especially between Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing. Others may misclassify Moscow or assume that any large modern city in Asia must have hosted the Games first. To avoid such errors, keep a simple chronological list in mind: Tokyo 1964, Seoul 1988 and Beijing 2008 for Summer Olympics in Asia.

Final Answer:
The first Asian city to host the Summer Olympic Games was Tokyo.