JAPAN BIZ: Emerging sports gain popularity in Japan, draw people of all ages

TOKYO, Jul 21 (Kyodo/APP):Emerging sports such as pickleball from the United States are gaining popularity in Japan as inclusive recreation that people can enjoy with their co-workers or residents of their local communities to foster social connections.

Since 2024, major real estate company Mitsui Fudosan Co. has been promoting pickleball, a paddle sport blending elements of tennis, table tennis and badminton, by setting up courts and holding related events at its shopping malls and other facilities to increase the attractiveness of its commercial properties.

Players hit a perforated hard plastic ball on a court of the same size as a doubles badminton court. There are currently an estimated 330,000 players of the sport in Japan, up from around 45,000 last year, according to startup Pickleball One Inc., which operates courts and sells equipment.

Mitsui Fudosan has been organizing promotional events and tournaments for employees of tenant companies at properties it manages.

“We expected its popularity in the United States would eventually reach Japan, and the sport would gain traction as an enjoyable exercise people can take part in that does not require a whole lot of space in land-constrained urban areas,” said Kohei Yamanaka of Mitsui Fudosan’s tenant relations and business development department.

The ball’s holes help create slower flight speeds and more predictable trajectories, making pickleball a more accessible racket sport.

“Even beginners who pick up a paddle for the very first time can start playing a match almost immediately, and they can get a rally going regardless of their physical fitness levels,” said Yamanaka.

“Not only does it encourage interaction among participants but also provides a low-intensity workout that makes you work up a sweat.”

Tokyo-based Dartslive Co. has been promoting darts as a competitive sport, particularly among young people.

The firm, which markets darts equipment, has seen some success in encouraging after-school child care providers and high schools to adopt it as an activity.

It also organizes large competitions with divisions for school-age players as well as events at schools for students to experience darts.

The company hopes that darts will be included as part of physical education at schools in the future.

Molkky, a yard game from Finland in which players throw a wooden pin at numbered skittles, has also been spreading gradually.

In 2024, the first world championship outside of Europe was held in Hakodate, Hokkaido, with over 3,000 players from 15 countries and regions taking part.

“It attracted attention during the coronavirus pandemic as a sport that does not require physical contact or proximity to be enjoyed,” said Kengo Suzuki of the Japan Molkky Association, adding it has also been adopted by some companies to improve employee engagement.