When it comes to Japanese sports, baseball, sumo wrestling, and judo are likely the first to come to mind.
For example, sumo wrestling, as Japan’s national sport, has been cherished for centuries. Its emphasis on tradition and formality has also drawn significant interest from abroad. The Grand Sumo Tournaments (Honbasho) are held six times a year, captivating audiences with intense battles between wrestlers.
Golf, on the other hand, has established itself as a popular sport among adults, often serving as a networking activity in business settings. Coupled with the success of professional golfers, golf enjoys widespread support across various demographics.
In this article, we’ll explore the characteristics and histories of popular sports in Japan, as well as introduce notable Japanese athletes who have made their mark in these fields.
1.What is the Most Popular Sport in Japan?
Japan is known for its passionate sports enthusiasts who love watching and playing a wide range of sports, including baseball, soccer, and basketball.
Baseball holds a special place in the hearts of Japanese people. The country’s recent victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) remains a proud memory for many fans. Professional baseball, with its competitive games, and the annual summer high school baseball tournament (Kōshien), which ignites nationwide excitement, make baseball one of the most beloved sports in Japan.
2.Nine Popular Sports in Japan
Here are nine carefully selected sports that are highly popular in Japan. With options like baseball, soccer, basketball, rugby, ice hockey, and figure skating, there’s always a sport to watch and enjoy year-round.
2-1.Baseball
Baseball is Japan’s most beloved national sport, with an enormous fan base. Professional baseball features 12 fiercely competitive teams and draws millions of passionate supporters every season. Additionally, the popularity of amateur baseball, especially high school baseball tournaments like the iconic Kōshien, further solidifies the sport’s appeal.
Japan has produced legendary players such as Shigeo Nagashima and Sadaharu Oh, along with international stars like Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani, who have made a global impact in Major League Baseball.
2-2.Soccer
Soccer has grown into one of Japan’s most popular sports, especially since the establishment of the J.League in 1993. This professional league has significantly boosted the sport’s popularity and level of play, with 60 clubs nationwide as of 2024.
The J.League’s distinctive feature is its community-based approach, with clubs deeply rooted in their local regions. This fosters a sense of pride and belonging among fans. Intense competition for championships and relegation battles ensures excitement throughout the season.
Japan has seen a surge of internationally recognized players, such as Takefusa Kubo, Kaoru Mitoma, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Takumi Minamino, who excel on the global stage.
2-3.Sumo
Sumo is Japan’s traditional martial art and national sport and is cherished for its cultural significance. Wrestlers, known as rikishi, showcase immense strength and skill in bouts that have captivated the Japanese people for centuries.
Grand Sumo Tournaments (Honbasho) are held six times a year, with competitors vying for the championship title. Wrestlers strive to advance through ranks such as Yokozuna, Ōzeki, Sekiwake, and Komusubi.
The six tournaments take place as follows:
January (Hatsu Basho) in Tokyo
March (Haru Basho) in Osaka
May (Natsu Basho) in Tokyo
July (Nagoya Basho) in Nagoya
September (Aki Basho) in Tokyo
November (Kyushu Basho) in Fukuoka
With events held across the nation, sumo remains deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and continues to be a source of national pride.
2-4.Kendo
Kendo, originating from Japan’s traditional swordsmanship (kenjutsu), is a martial art where practitioners use bamboo swords (shinai) to strike their opponents. Emphasizing courtesy and self-discipline, kendo is a martial art that embodies the spirit of bushidō (the samurai code of ethics) and is highly regarded internationally.
Competitive kendo thrives in Japan, with events like the National High School Kendo Tournament (Inter-High) and the All Japan Student Kendo Championship drawing significant attention.
Kendo’s appeal lies in its profound depth. Success requires not just striking technique but also mastery of footwork, body movement, and mental fortitude. Furthermore, its focus on respect and etiquette—both for one’s opponent and the sport itself—makes kendo a meaningful practice for cultivating character and discipline.
2-5. Judo
Judo is one of Japan’s most celebrated martial arts and is widely recognized as an Olympic sport. Judo involves techniques such as throwing and pinning an opponent to secure victory. However, it is more than just a martial art—it emphasizes courtesy and mental discipline, embodying the values of Japanese culture.
The founder of judo, Jigoro Kano, introduced the philosophy of “Seiryoku Zenyo, Jita Kyoei” (maximum efficiency, mutual prosperity for self and others). This ethos continues to be passed down among judoka worldwide, contributing to judo’s development as an international martial art.
Prominent athletes include Hifumi Abe and Uta Abe, siblings who won gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, inspiring admiration both in Japan and abroad.
2-6. Tennis
Tennis is a globally loved sport, with a growing fan base in Japan.
Japanese tennis gained heightened recognition thanks to Kei Nishikori, whose achievements in Grand Slam tournaments brought immense attention to the sport. His success inspired a wave of young players to take up tennis, further energizing the domestic scene.
On the women’s side, Naomi Osaka has made history with four Grand Slam titles, establishing herself as a global icon. Among the younger generation, players like Yasutaka Uchiyama and Yosuke Watanuki are making their mark on the ATP Tour and are seen as the future of Japanese men’s tennis.
2-7. Golf
Golf is a widely enjoyed sport in Japan, often associated with elegance and professionalism. It is commonly played in business contexts, with many professionals engaging in golf with clients and colleagues.
On the men’s side, Hideki Matsuyama has made history as a top player, becoming the first Japanese golfer to win a major tournament. Rising stars such as Ryo Ishikawa and Takumi Kanaya are also gaining recognition on the global stage.
In women’s golf, Hinako Shibuno shocked the world with her victory in an international major tournament. Promising talents like Nasa Hataoka and Yuka Saso continue to elevate Japanese women’s golf to an elite level of global competitiveness.
2-8. Karate
Karate originated in Okinawa and spread throughout Japan, becoming a traditional martial art known for its emphasis on unarmed combat, respect, and mental discipline.
Karate styles vary, but the discipline is universally composed of three core elements:
Basics (Kihon): Repetitive fundamental movements to strengthen the core and improve flexibility.
Forms (Kata): Pre-arranged sequences of movements that combine offensive and defensive techniques.
Sparring (Kumite): Practical training where practitioners face off to apply their techniques in a controlled setting.
In addition to being a martial art, karate serves as a practical method of self-defense. It enhances personal safety by teaching techniques for neutralizing threats without weapons. This dual focus on tradition and practicality makes karate a valued practice both in Japan and around the world.
2-9. Aikido
Aikido is a Japanese martial art recognized alongside judo and kendo but distinguished by its unique approach. Founded by Morihei Ueshiba, aikido combines the founder’s martial arts expertise and philosophy. As the name “aiki” implies, the art focuses on harmonizing with an opponent’s energy to neutralize and redirect attacks.
Aikido techniques can be categorized into two main areas:
Taijutsu (Body Techniques): Utilizing an opponent’s force to execute throws and pins.
Bukiwaza (Weapons Techniques): Using weapons such as wooden swords (bokken) or staffs (jō) to defend against and control an attacker.
Aikido’s appeal lies in its emphasis on skillful body movement and mental composure over brute strength. By aligning with an opponent’s force, practitioners can overcome differences in size and strength, making aikido accessible and enjoyable for people of all body types.
Conclusion
Baseball, as Japan’s national pastime, continues to captivate fans through professional leagues and amateur tournaments like the summer Kōshien, a hallmark event of the season.
Soccer’s rapid growth following the launch of the J.League has elevated it to one of Japan’s most popular sports, with the national team, Samurai Blue, inspiring national pride through their international achievements.
Martial arts such as judo and karate, deeply rooted in Japanese tradition, have gained Olympic recognition and are celebrated globally. These arts reflect a cultural emphasis on respect, discipline, and the development of both mind and body, symbolizing the essence of Japanese culture.
*This article is based on information available as of November 2024.
