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Exploring the Future of School Sports Clubs in Japan

On August 6, 2026, LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. successfully hosted the symposium titled "Regional Development of School Sports Club Activities – Present Status and Future" in collaboration with the Sports Industry Promotion Council and Sports Communications Co., Ltd. This event, supported by the Japan Sports Agency, marked a significant milestone in understanding the challenges and pathways for enhancing regional school sports clubs in Japan.

With approximately 600 registrations for the event, including around 100 attendees present on-site, the symposium served as a vibrant platform for discussions among representatives from local governments, educational institutions, and the private sector. Their collective mission was to explore solutions for the development of sustainable sports environments, particularly as Japan undergoes school sports club reforms in the ongoing execution period set to advance school sports activities across the nation.

A Wide-Reaching Market for School Sports

As of fiscal year 2026, Japan's initiatives regarding school sports are poised to transform an extensive market of approximately JPY 500 billion, involving nearly 9,800 junior high schools and around 128,000 school sports clubs. The reform underscores the urgency for local governments to address pressing issues such as the recruitment of qualified personnel to support these clubs and the establishment of sound funding and safety management systems.

This symposium allowed stakeholders to voice their concerns, examine shared challenges, and engage in meaningful conversation regarding practical responses designed to revitalize and sustain school sports clubs.

Figures and Experts Unite for Discussions

The symposium featured various thought leaders under the moderation of sports journalist Mr. Kiyosumi Ninomiya, with panelists such as Mr. Toshiaki Endo, President of the Japan Sport Association, Ms. Naomi Mashiko, Vice President of the JSPO, and Mr. Yasunori Kato, Senior Supervisor at the Minato City Board of Education. Mr. Kiyotaka Ito, the Representative Director and CEO of Leifras, also contributed insights based on the company's extensive experience supporting 381 schools and over 2,120 school sports clubs in Japan.

During the discussions, Mr. Ito emphasized crucial points:

• - Sustainable Operating Models: The need to develop operating models that do not entirely depend on temporary government subsidies, ensuring the longevity and integrity of these sports programs. Safety management systems must be reinforced to mitigate risks of accidents and injuries.
• - Positive Coaching Philosophy: Ito highlighted fostering an environment in which children feel free to make mistakes and are motivated to face new challenges, strengthening their non-cognitive skills, which are vital for future success.
• - Public-Private Partnerships: The transition to community-based clubs necessitates leveraging skills and expertise from private organizations through robust collaborations.

Path Forward: Building a Sustainable Ecosystem

The dialogue reaffirmed that the successful evolution of regional school sports requires a collaborative effort between public and private sectors. With strategic guidance from bodies like the JSPO, local governments must rally around shared leadership while harnessing expertise from the private sector to ensure effective personnel development and safety management.

Leifras remains devoted to leveraging insights from the symposium to foster a sustainable educational ecosystem that nurtures sports participation among children. With a focus on public-private collaboration following national reforms, Leifras aims to enhance children’s access to meaningful sports experiences.

As a part of the effort to disseminate knowledge, an archived video of the symposium is available on Leifras's official website, detailing six key discussion themes ranging from sustainable operating models to the roles of various stakeholders in protecting children's sporting environments.

• - Theme 1: Latest Developments and Future Directions
• - Theme 2: Sustainable Operating Models
• - Theme 3: Funding and Support Utilization
• - Theme 4: Management of School Facilities
• - Theme 5: Responsibilities Across Sectors
• - Theme 6: Safeguarding Children's Sports Environments

This comprehensive approach to addressing regional needs marks a significant step in securing future generations' sports opportunities in Japan.