The 2018
SSF National Sports-Life Survey
Executive Summary March 2019, JapanThe 2018
SSF National Sports-Life Survey
Executive Summary
March 2019, Japan

Annual changes in sports and physical activities
Overview
1 Introduction
In order to understand the level of participation in sports and physical activities by Japanese,
the Sasakawa Sports Foundation (SSF) has examined the statistical data gathered through the“SSF National Sports-Life Survey”, which has been conducted every other year since 1992. Thissurvey measures the number of people aged 18 and over taking part in sports and physicalactivities across Japan in terms of frequency, duration and intensity. People take part in sports
and physical activities in diﬀerent ways, with many doing a range of activities including sports
spectating, sports volunteering.

2 Survey design1）Population: People aged 18 and over who live in Japan
2）Sample size: 3,000
3）Number of locations: 300 (88 in metro areas; 122 in cities with a population of over 100,000
people; 65 in cities with a population of less than 100,000 people; 25 in towns and villages)
4）Extracting method: Quota method

3 Survey period■ Annual changes in sports and physical activities■ Levels of sports and physical activities■ Types of sports and physical activities■ Sports clubs■ Sports spectating■ Sports volunteering

1
2
4
6
8
12

Description of terms● Range of sports and physical activities

This survey measures a wide range of sporting activities including fitness
activities, Strolling/Walking/Cycling for leisure or travel and dance.
The school PE classes were excluded whilst sports club activities at schools
and workplaces were included.

July 6th - August 10th,2018

4 Survey methods
Leaving method:
The survey oﬃcial visits the respondent, distributing the paper-based questionnaire andhaving the respondent ﬁll out the survey within a certain period. The survey oﬃcial thenreturns to the respondent to collect the survey.

5 Survey sample
3,000（Male : 1,491, Female : 1,509）
18・19 years old 71（Male : 37, Female : 34）
20-29 381（Male : 194, Female : 187）
30-39 480（Male : 245, Female : 235）
40-49 595（Male : 303, Female : 292）
50-59 481（Male : 242, Female : 239）
60-69 564（Male : 276, Female : 288）
70 and over 428（Male : 194, Female : 234）

The 2018 SSF National Sports-Life Survey

Annual changes in sports and physical activities

Table of Contents

Date
Produced by
Published by● Estimated participants

Estimated sports participants are calculated by applying the rate of regularsports and physical activities participation over the past year to the total
population of those 18 and over (106,011,547 people in Japan).
● Level of participation in sports and physical activities

In this survey, the participation in sports and physical activities are divided
into the following levels; “Level 0” for those who did not participate in any
sports or physical activities for the past year; “Level 1” for those who
participated at least once during the year, but less than twice a week; “Level2” for those who participated at least twice a week; “Level 3” for those who
participated at least twice a week with a duration of “more than 30
minutes”; and “Level 4” for those who participated at least twice a week,
duration of “more than 30 minutes”, and with more than moderate intensity.

31 Dec. 2018
Kazutoshi Watanabe
Sasakawa Sports Foundation
1-2-2 Akasaka Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 Japan
Phone. +81‑3‑6229‑5300 FAX. +81‑3‑6229‑5340
URL https://www.ssf.or.jp Email data@ssf.or.jp

Printed by
Cover Designed by

Nihon Publicity Co.,Ltd.
Atsuhiko Sanbongi©Sasakawa Sports Foundation, 2018 Printed in JapanAt least once a year

（%）
100

At least once a week

At least twice a week

Active sports participant

90
80

65.9

70
60
50

50.9

40.6

40
30

31.5
23.7

20
10
0

51.4

16.1
6.6

1992

21.7
7.6

1994

65.7
45.4
35.2

70.7
51.4
40.8

68.0
49.7
40.0

73.4
55.4
45.3

68.3
51.5
41.9

72.1
56.4
45.5

76.0

74.4

73.7

72.4

74.0

59.0

59.1

57.2

56.0

57.9

49.1

49.3

47.5

45.1

47.8

27.8
9.1
1996

13.0
1998

17.6
2000

13.3
2002

16.1

15.9

17.4

18.4

20.0

18.7

19.6

20.7

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018（year）（n=1,640）（n=1,596）（n=1,571）（n=2,322）（n=2,232）（n=2,267）（n=2,288）（n=1,867）（n=2,000）（n=2,000）（n=2,000）（n=2,000）（n=3,000）（n=3,000）

Note 1: Until 2014, the survey targeted people aged 20 years and over; starting in 2016, it targeted those aged 18 years and over.
Note 2: Active sports participant are Level 4 people (those who participated for at least 30 minutes twice a week at moderate intensity or greater).

74.0% of people participated in sports and physical activities at least once in 2018.

The percentage of people who participate at least once a week has risen since 1992, from 23.7% to 57.9% in 2018.
Similarly, the percentage for participation at least twice a week in 2018 was 47.8%, continuing its climb from the 16.1%
recorded in 1992.
The number of active sports participants was at an all-time high of 20.7%.

1Levels of sports and physical activities
Definition of levels

Level

Definition

Level 0For the past year,
no sports/physical activities at all

Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4

(Active Sports
Participant)

At least once a year, less than
twice a week (1-103 times a year)
At least twice a week(at least 104 times a year)
At least twice a week,at least 30 min at a time
At least twice a week, at least 30 min
at a time, moderate intensity at leastslightly hard

Levels of sports and physical activities

Level 0Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Levels of sports andphysical activities：By age
Level 4

Level 4

20.7%

21.94 million
estimatedparticipants

Level 3

17.6%

18.66 million
estimatedparticipants

Level 2

9.5%

18-19

Level 026.0%

27.56 million estimatedparticipants(n=71)

Male

23.8(n=1,491)

30.7 8.1 15.5 21.9

Note: The estimated number of participants was calculated by multiplying thetotal population of individuals aged 18 and over (106,011,547 people
according to the basic resident register as of January 1, 2017 in Japan) by thepercentage of each participation level.

33.1

9.8 14.2 17.9

40-49

23.7

38.3

11.6 12.6 13.8

50-59

29.3

25.4

11.2 14.3

19.8

60-69

26.8

16.0 7.6

24.1

25.5

70 and over

23.6

10.5 7.9

30.4

27.6

40

60

(n=564)(n=428)

0

20

40

60

80

100
(%)

45.5% of males and 50.0% of females participated in sports and physicalactivities at least twice a week (Level 2 or greater), with females holding a higher
percentage by 4.5points.
23.8% of males and 28.2% of females did not participate in sports and physicalactivities at all (Level 0), with females holding a higher percentage by 4.4 points.

31.0

25.0

(n=481)10.07 million
estimated participants

16.9 12.7

Level 430-39

27.78 million
estimatedparticipants

21.7 10.9 19.7 19.4

21.1

Level 3

7.1 10.8 19.2

(n=595)

28.2

18.3

Level 2

33.1

26.2%

FemaleLevel 129.9

(n=480)(n=1,509)

Level 020-29

(n=381)

Level 1

26.0% of people (27.56 million) were Level 0, meaning that they did not participate in sports and physical activities at all in
the past year. 26.2% of people (27.78 million) were Level 1, 9.5% (10.07 million) were Level 2, and 17.6% (18.66 million)
were Level 3. 20.7% of people (21.94 million) were Level 4, meaning that they participated with the most frequency andintensity.

2

Levels of sports andphysical activities：By gender

0

20

80

100
(%)

Of the people who participated in sports and physical activities at least twice a week
(Level 2 or greater), 60.6% were aged 18–19, 37.1% were in their 20-29, 41.9%
were in their 30-39, 38.0% were in their 40-49, 45.3% were in their 50-59,
57.2% were in their 60-69, and 65.9% were in their 70 and over.
The percentage of people who participated at least twice a week increased alongwith the percentage of people in their 40s and over who participated.

3

Levels of sports and physical activities
Definition of levels

Level

Definition

Level 0For the past year,
no sports/physical activities at all

Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4

(Active Sports
Participant)

At least once a year, less than
twice a week (1-103 times a year)
At least twice a week(at least 104 times a year)
At least twice a week,at least 30 min at a time
At least twice a week, at least 30 min
at a time, moderate intensity at leastslightly hard

Levels of sports and physical activities

Level 0Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Levels of sports andphysical activities：By age
Level 4

Level 4

20.7%

21.94 million
estimatedparticipants

Level 3

17.6%

18.66 million
estimatedparticipants

Level 2

9.5%

18-19

Level 026.0%

27.56 million estimatedparticipants(n=71)

Male

23.8(n=1,491)

30.7 8.1 15.5 21.9

Note: The estimated number of participants was calculated by multiplying thetotal population of individuals aged 18 and over (106,011,547 people
according to the basic resident register as of January 1, 2017 in Japan) by thepercentage of each participation level.

33.1

9.8 14.2 17.9

40-49

23.7

38.3

11.6 12.6 13.8

50-59

29.3

25.4

11.2 14.3

19.8

60-69

26.8

16.0 7.6

24.1

25.5

70 and over

23.6

10.5 7.9

30.4

27.6

40

60

(n=564)(n=428)

0

20

40

60

80

100
(%)

45.5% of males and 50.0% of females participated in sports and physicalactivities at least twice a week (Level 2 or greater), with females holding a higher
percentage by 4.5points.
23.8% of males and 28.2% of females did not participate in sports and physicalactivities at all (Level 0), with females holding a higher percentage by 4.4 points.

31.0

25.0

(n=481)10.07 million
estimated participants

16.9 12.7

Level 430-39

27.78 million
estimatedparticipants

21.7 10.9 19.7 19.4

21.1

Level 3

7.1 10.8 19.2

(n=595)

28.2

18.3

Level 2

33.1

26.2%

FemaleLevel 129.9

(n=480)(n=1,509)

Level 020-29

(n=381)

Level 1

26.0% of people (27.56 million) were Level 0, meaning that they did not participate in sports and physical activities at all in
the past year. 26.2% of people (27.78 million) were Level 1, 9.5% (10.07 million) were Level 2, and 17.6% (18.66 million)
were Level 3. 20.7% of people (21.94 million) were Level 4, meaning that they participated with the most frequency andintensity.

2

Levels of sports andphysical activities：By gender

0

20

80

100
(%)

Of the people who participated in sports and physical activities at least twice a week
(Level 2 or greater), 60.6% were aged 18–19, 37.1% were in their 20-29, 41.9%
were in their 30-39, 38.0% were in their 40-49, 45.3% were in their 50-59,
57.2% were in their 60-69, and 65.9% were in their 70 and over.
The percentage of people who participated at least twice a week increased alongwith the percentage of people in their 40s and over who participated.

3

Types of sports and physical activities
Types of sports andphysical activities：By gender

Types of sports and physical activities
Total (n=3,000)
Rank

Types of sports

Participation rate

Estimated participants

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Strolling
Walking
Calisthenics and light exercises
Weight training
Bowling
Jogging and Running
Golf on a course
Fishing
Swimming
Golf practice on a driving range
Sea bathing
Cycling
Table tennis
Playing catch
Yoga
Badminton
FootballJumping rope
HikingBaseball

30.9
25.4
19.6
15.2
9.9
9.6
8.1
7.2
6.9
6.6
6.4
5.9
5.9
5.7
5.5
5.2
4.7
4.5
4.2
3.8

3,276
2,693
2,078
1,611
1,050
1,018
859
763
731
700
678
625
625
604
583
551
498
477
445
403

12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

（％）

(in 10,000s)

Note: The estimated number of participants was calculated by multiplying the total
population of individuals aged 18 and over (106,011,547 people according to thebasic resident register as of January 1, 2017 in Japan) by the percentage of eachparticipation level.

Of the sports and physical activities performed in the past year, ”Strolling” came infirst place at 30.9% (32.76 million people), followed by ”Walking” in second place at
25.4% (26.93 million people), ”Calisthenics and light exercises” in third place at
19.6% (20.78 million people), ”Weight training” in fourth place at 15.2% (16.11
million people), and ”Bowling” in fifth place at 9.9% (10.50 million people).

4

Male (n=1,491)
Rank

Types of sports

1

Strolling

2

Walking3

Weight training

4

Golf on a course

5

7

Calisthenics andlight exercises
Jogging andRunning
Golf practice ona driving range

8

Fishing

9

Bowling6

10 Playing catch

Participation rate Rank
（％）

26.0
24.1
17.4
14.8
14.0
13.3
11.7
11.6
11.1
8.1

Female (n=1,509)
Types of sports

1

Strolling

2

Walking3

Calisthenics andlight exercises

4

Weight training

5

Yoga

6

Bowling

7

Table tennis

8

Badminton

9

Swimming

10

Types of sports and physical activities：By age

Jogging andRunning

Jumping rope

18‑19（n=71）

Participation rate

Rank

Types of sports

35.8
26.6
25.0
13.1
9.7
8.7
6.6
6.4
6.1
6.0
6.0

1
2

Bowling
FootballJogging and Running
Weight training
Strolling
Table tennis
Badminton
Basketball
Volleyball
Playing catch
Walking

（％）

3
5
6
7
9
10

50‑59（n=481）
Rank

Types of sports

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Strolling
Walking
Calisthenics and light exercises
Weight training
Jogging and Running
Golf on a course
Fishing
Golf practice on a driving range
Bowling
Cycling
Yoga

10Among females, participation in ”Strolling”, ”Walking”, ”Calisthenics and light
exercises”, and ”Weight training” was high.
For males, participation in those four activities as well as ”Golf on a course”, ”Jogging
and Running”, ”Golf practice on a driving range”, “Fishing”, and ”Bowling” allexceeded 10%.

Participation rate Rank
（％）

25.4
23.9
22.5
22.5
21.1
18.3
16.9
16.9
15.5
14.1
14.1

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Participation rate Rank
（％）

29.5
25.6
20.2
14.3
9.4
9.1
7.9
7.5
7.1
6.4
6.4

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

20‑29（n=381）
Types of sports
Strolling
Bowling
Weight training
Jogging and Running
Walking
FootballTable tennis
Badminton
BaseballSwimming

60‑69（n=564）
Types of sports
Walking
Strolling
Calisthenics and light exercises
Weight training
Golf on a course
Golf practice on a driving range
Fishing
Hiking
Jogging and Running
Swimming

Participation rate Rank
（％）

26.5
20.5
19.9
15.2
13.9
10.0
9.4
9.2
8.9
8.7

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
10

Participation rate Rank
（％）

36.9
35.3
24.5
12.1
9.8
7.3
6.0
5.7
5.1
5.1

1
2
3
4
5
7
8
9
10

30‑39（n=480）
Types of sports
Strolling
Walking
Weight training
Calisthenics and light exercises
Jogging and Running
Sea bathing
BowlingFishing
FootballPlaying catch

Participation rate Rank
（％）

28.8
19.4
18.5
17.3
15.2
12.1
10.8
9.6
9.6
9.4

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

40‑49（n=595）
Types of sports

Participation rate

Strolling
Walking
Calisthenics and light exercises
Weight training
Bowling
Sea bathing
Golf on a course
Fishing
Jogging and Running
Playing catch

29.2
20.5
19.7
15.3
13.6
11.3
11.1
9.4
9.4
9.4

（％）

70 and over（n=428）
Types of sports

Participation rate

Strolling
Walking
Calisthenics and light exercises
Weight training
Golf on a course
Ground golf
Golf practice on a driving range
Swimming
HikingCycling
Yoga

36.9
35.5
26.6
11.2
9.8
9.8
5.8
5.6
4.4
4.2
4.2

（％）

Participation in ”Strolling”, ”Walking”, ”Calisthenics and light exercises”, and ”Weight training” was high across all age groups, both young and old.
In addition, team ball sports such as “Football” and “Basketball“ ranked highly among people aged 18 to 39.
Those activities were replaced by ”Golf on a course”, ”Golf practice on a driving range”, and ”Cycling” for people in their 40s and over.

5Types of sports and physical activities
Types of sports andphysical activities：By gender

Types of sports and physical activities
Total (n=3,000)
Rank

Types of sports

Participation rate

Estimated participants

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Strolling
Walking
Calisthenics and light exercises
Weight training
Bowling
Jogging and Running
Golf on a course
Fishing
Swimming
Golf practice on a driving range
Sea bathing
Cycling
Table tennis
Playing catch
Yoga
Badminton
FootballJumping rope
HikingBaseball

30.9
25.4
19.6
15.2
9.9
9.6
8.1
7.2
6.9
6.6
6.4
5.9
5.9
5.7
5.5
5.2
4.7
4.5
4.2
3.8

3,276
2,693
2,078
1,611
1,050
1,018
859
763
731
700
678
625
625
604
583
551
498
477
445
403

12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

（％）

(in 10,000s)

Note: The estimated number of participants was calculated by multiplying the total
population of individuals aged 18 and over (106,011,547 people according to thebasic resident register as of January 1, 2017 in Japan) by the percentage of eachparticipation level.

Of the sports and physical activities performed in the past year, ”Strolling” came infirst place at 30.9% (32.76 million people), followed by ”Walking” in second place at
25.4% (26.93 million people), ”Calisthenics and light exercises” in third place at
19.6% (20.78 million people), ”Weight training” in fourth place at 15.2% (16.11
million people), and ”Bowling” in fifth place at 9.9% (10.50 million people).

4

Male (n=1,491)
Rank

Types of sports

1

Strolling

2

Walking3

Weight training

4

Golf on a course

5

7

Calisthenics andlight exercises
Jogging andRunning
Golf practice ona driving range

8

Fishing

9

Bowling6

10 Playing catch

Participation rate Rank
（％）

26.0
24.1
17.4
14.8
14.0
13.3
11.7
11.6
11.1
8.1

Female (n=1,509)
Types of sports

1

Strolling

2

Walking3

Calisthenics andlight exercises

4

Weight training

5

Yoga

6

Bowling

7

Table tennis

8

Badminton

9

Swimming

10

Types of sports and physical activities：By age

Jogging andRunning

Jumping rope

18‑19（n=71）

Participation rate

Rank

Types of sports

35.8
26.6
25.0
13.1
9.7
8.7
6.6
6.4
6.1
6.0
6.0

1
2

Bowling
FootballJogging and Running
Weight training
Strolling
Table tennis
Badminton
Basketball
Volleyball
Playing catch
Walking

（％）

3
5
6
7
9
10

50‑59（n=481）
Rank

Types of sports

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Strolling
Walking
Calisthenics and light exercises
Weight training
Jogging and Running
Golf on a course
Fishing
Golf practice on a driving range
Bowling
Cycling
Yoga

10Among females, participation in ”Strolling”, ”Walking”, ”Calisthenics and light
exercises”, and ”Weight training” was high.
For males, participation in those four activities as well as ”Golf on a course”, ”Jogging
and Running”, ”Golf practice on a driving range”, “Fishing”, and ”Bowling” allexceeded 10%.

Participation rate Rank
（％）

25.4
23.9
22.5
22.5
21.1
18.3
16.9
16.9
15.5
14.1
14.1

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Participation rate Rank
（％）

29.5
25.6
20.2
14.3
9.4
9.1
7.9
7.5
7.1
6.4
6.4

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

20‑29（n=381）
Types of sports
Strolling
Bowling
Weight training
Jogging and Running
Walking
FootballTable tennis
Badminton
BaseballSwimming

60‑69（n=564）
Types of sports
Walking
Strolling
Calisthenics and light exercises
Weight training
Golf on a course
Golf practice on a driving range
Fishing
Hiking
Jogging and Running
Swimming

Participation rate Rank
（％）

26.5
20.5
19.9
15.2
13.9
10.0
9.4
9.2
8.9
8.7

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
10

Participation rate Rank
（％）

36.9
35.3
24.5
12.1
9.8
7.3
6.0
5.7
5.1
5.1

1
2
3
4
5
7
8
9
10

30‑39（n=480）
Types of sports
Strolling
Walking
Weight training
Calisthenics and light exercises
Jogging and Running
Sea bathing
BowlingFishing
FootballPlaying catch

Participation rate Rank
（％）

28.8
19.4
18.5
17.3
15.2
12.1
10.8
9.6
9.6
9.4

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

40‑49（n=595）
Types of sports

Participation rate

Strolling
Walking
Calisthenics and light exercises
Weight training
Bowling
Sea bathing
Golf on a course
Fishing
Jogging and Running
Playing catch

29.2
20.5
19.7
15.3
13.6
11.3
11.1
9.4
9.4
9.4

（％）

70 and over（n=428）
Types of sports

Participation rate

Strolling
Walking
Calisthenics and light exercises
Weight training
Golf on a course
Ground golf
Golf practice on a driving range
Swimming
HikingCycling
Yoga

36.9
35.5
26.6
11.2
9.8
9.8
5.8
5.6
4.4
4.2
4.2

（％）

Participation in ”Strolling”, ”Walking”, ”Calisthenics and light exercises”, and ”Weight training” was high across all age groups, both young and old.
In addition, team ball sports such as “Football” and “Basketball“ ranked highly among people aged 18 to 39.
Those activities were replaced by ”Golf on a course”, ”Golf practice on a driving range”, and ”Cycling” for people in their 40s and over.

5

Sports clubs
Sports club membership：Total and by gender
Currently member

Formerly member

Never joinedSports club membership：By age
Currently member

Formerly member

18-19

Total

(n=2,992)

Male(n=1,488)

Female

53.6

26.3

20.0

61.6

17.0 21.5(n=1,504)

0

20

40

60

80

100
(%)

18.5% of people are members of sports clubs, 23.9% are former members ofsports clubs, and 57.6% have never joined sports clubs.
In terms of gender, 20.0% of males and 17.0% of females are members of sports
clubs.
This difference of 3points between males and females has narrowed since the firstsurvey was conducted in 1992, when the gap was 8.6points.

6

0

20

40

Never joined

43.7
59.8
61.8
59.2
55.1
56.1
55.9

(n=71)

57.6

23.9

18.5

21.1
35.2
20-29 16.0
24.1
(n=381)30-39
24.0(n=479) 14.2
40-49 17.5
23.3
(n=593)50-59 18.7
26.2
(n=481)60-69 20.0
23.9
(n=561)70 and over
24.2
20.0
(n=426)

Types of sports clubs：Total and by gender

60

80

Community groups and clubs
Workplace clubs

Total

Alumni clubs

Community groups and clubs

25.9(n=15)

Friends and acquaintances' clubs

34.7(n=548)

Private clubs

20.4 6.0
6.010.6
10.6

OthersMale

31.4

10.6 7.2 17.4

38.4

(n=255)100(%)

The rate of sports club membership of the people over the age of 70 (24.2%) was
the highest, followed by those aged 18–19 (21.1%), those in their 60-69 (20.0%),
and those in their 50-59 (18.7%).
Starting with people in their 30-39, the rate of sports club membership increased asage increased.

0

20

31.8
40

60

20-29

30.7
20.4
4.7 2.7 2.0
80

100
(%)

The rate of membership in “Community groups and clubs” was the highest at

34.7%, followed by “Friends and acquaintances’ clubs” at 25.9% and “Private
clubs” at 20.4%.
Among males, membership in “Community groups and clubs” was the highest at
31.4%, followed by “Friends and acquaintances' clubs” at 30.7% and “Workplaceclubs” at 17.4%.
Among females, membership in “Community groups and clubs” was the highest at
38.4%, followed by “Private clubs” at 31.8% and “Friends and acquaintances’
clubs” at 20.4%.

Private clubs

26.7
14.8 9.8 13.1

27.9

11.8 5.9

40-49

24.3

16.5

50-59

6.7

39.3
25.0

4.9
29.4

9.7 14.6

37.1(n=89)

Others

46.7

30-39

(n=103)

Alumni clubs

Friends and acquaintances' clubs

18.0(n=61)(n=68)

2.7
FemaleWorkplace clubs

18-19 6.7 13.3

2.4
(n=293)

Types of sports clubs：By age

30.1

25.8

10.1

4.9

22.5

2.2

60-69

41.8

(n=110)

2.2

27.3

23.6
2.7 3.6

70 and over

53.9

(n=102)

0.9

22.5

13.7
3.9 4.9

0

20

40

60

80

1.0
100
(%)

The rate of membership in “Friends and acquaintances’ clubs” was the highest
among the younger age groups— 46.7% for those aged 18–19 and 39.3% for
those in their 20-29.
The membership rate in “Workplace clubs” was relatively high (25.0%) for people intheir 30-39 compared to other age groups.
Starting with the 40-49 age group, membership in “Community groups and clubs”
increased as age increased—24.3% for those in their 40-49, 37.1% for those in
their 50-59, 41.8% for those in their 60-69, and 53.9% for those over the age of 70.

7

Sports clubs
Sports club membership：Total and by gender
Currently member

Formerly member

Never joinedSports club membership：By age
Currently member

Formerly member

18-19

Total

(n=2,992)

Male(n=1,488)

Female

53.6

26.3

20.0

61.6

17.0 21.5(n=1,504)

0

20

40

60

80

100
(%)

18.5% of people are members of sports clubs, 23.9% are former members ofsports clubs, and 57.6% have never joined sports clubs.
In terms of gender, 20.0% of males and 17.0% of females are members of sports
clubs.
This difference of 3points between males and females has narrowed since the firstsurvey was conducted in 1992, when the gap was 8.6points.

6

0

20

40

Never joined

43.7
59.8
61.8
59.2
55.1
56.1
55.9

(n=71)

57.6

23.9

18.5

21.1
35.2
20-29 16.0
24.1
(n=381)30-39
24.0(n=479) 14.2
40-49 17.5
23.3
(n=593)50-59 18.7
26.2
(n=481)60-69 20.0
23.9
(n=561)70 and over
24.2
20.0
(n=426)

Types of sports clubs：Total and by gender

60

80

Community groups and clubs
Workplace clubs

Total

Alumni clubs

Community groups and clubs

25.9(n=15)

Friends and acquaintances' clubs

34.7(n=548)

Private clubs

20.4 6.0
6.010.6
10.6

OthersMale

31.4

10.6 7.2 17.4

38.4

(n=255)100(%)

The rate of sports club membership of the people over the age of 70 (24.2%) was
the highest, followed by those aged 18–19 (21.1%), those in their 60-69 (20.0%),
and those in their 50-59 (18.7%).
Starting with people in their 30-39, the rate of sports club membership increased asage increased.

0

20

31.8
40

60

20-29

30.7
20.4
4.7 2.7 2.0
80

100
(%)

The rate of membership in “Community groups and clubs” was the highest at

34.7%, followed by “Friends and acquaintances’ clubs” at 25.9% and “Private
clubs” at 20.4%.
Among males, membership in “Community groups and clubs” was the highest at
31.4%, followed by “Friends and acquaintances' clubs” at 30.7% and “Workplaceclubs” at 17.4%.
Among females, membership in “Community groups and clubs” was the highest at
38.4%, followed by “Private clubs” at 31.8% and “Friends and acquaintances’
clubs” at 20.4%.

Private clubs

26.7
14.8 9.8 13.1

27.9

11.8 5.9

40-49

24.3

16.5

50-59

6.7

39.3
25.0

4.9
29.4

9.7 14.6

37.1(n=89)

Others

46.7

30-39

(n=103)

Alumni clubs

Friends and acquaintances' clubs

18.0(n=61)(n=68)

2.7
FemaleWorkplace clubs

18-19 6.7 13.3

2.4
(n=293)

Types of sports clubs：By age

30.1

25.8

10.1

4.9

22.5

2.2

60-69

41.8

(n=110)

2.2

27.3

23.6
2.7 3.6

70 and over

53.9

(n=102)

0.9

22.5

13.7
3.9 4.9

0

20

40

60

80

1.0
100
(%)

The rate of membership in “Friends and acquaintances’ clubs” was the highest
among the younger age groups— 46.7% for those aged 18–19 and 39.3% for
those in their 20-29.
The membership rate in “Workplace clubs” was relatively high (25.0%) for people intheir 30-39 compared to other age groups.
Starting with the 40-49 age group, membership in “Community groups and clubs”
increased as age increased—24.3% for those in their 40-49, 37.1% for those in
their 50-59, 41.8% for those in their 60-69, and 53.9% for those over the age of 70.

7

Sports spectating
Live sports spectating：Total and by genderLive sports spectating：By age

Live spectator sports types：By genderLive spectator sports types
Total (n=3,000)

18-19

39.4

(n=71)

Total

31.8

(n=3,000)

20-29

29.4

30-39

30.6

(n=381)(n=480)

40-49

Male

39.7

(n=595)36.6(n=1,491)

50-59

33.9

(n=481)

Female

60-69

27.1

(n=1,509)

26.8(n=564)70 and over

27.6

(n=428)

0

20

40
(%)

The percentage of people who attended a live sporting event at a stadium or arena in
the past year was 31.8%. In terms of gender, 36.6% of males and 27.1% offemales attended a live sporting event, a difference of 9.5points.
This trend of males attending live sporting events more than females has remained
unchanged since this survey item was added in 1994.

8

Rank

0

20

40

60
(%)

Live sports spectating was the highest for people in their 40-49 (39.7%), followedby those aged 18–19 (39.4%) and those in their 50-59 (33.9%).
This trend of a high percentage of people in their 40-49 attending live sporting
events was also seen in past surveys.

Types of sports①②③
Frequency Estimated annual
spectators （times/year） total（①×②）

Attendance
Estimated
rate
(%)

1

Professional
baseball(NPB※)

2

High-school
baseball3

Professional
football(J League)

5.5

4Marathon andEkiden road relay

3.8

5Football(High-school,
University, JFL, etc.)（in 10,000s）

13.7 1,452 2.09
5.8

1.9

615 3.03
583 2.82
403 1.34
201 7.14

Male (n=1,491)
Rank（in 10,000s）

3,035
1,863
1,644
540
1,435

Note: The estimated number of participants was calculated by multiplying the total
population of individuals aged 18 and over (106,011,547 people according to thebasic resident register as of January 1, 2017 in Japan) by the percentage of eachattendance level.
※NPB:Nippon Professional Baseball”Professional baseball (NPB)” had the highest attendance rate at 13.7%.
It was followed by ”High-school baseball” at 5.8%, ”Professional football (J League)”at 5.5%, and ”Marathon and Ekiden road relay” at 3.8%.

Types of sports

Female (n=1,509)

Attendance
rate
Rank
(%)

Types of sports

Professional
baseball(NPB※)

Attendance
rate
(%)

1

Professional
baseball(NPB※)

16.6

1

2

High-school
baseball

7.7

2

4.4

3

Professional
football(J League)

Professional
football(J League)

6.5

3High-school
baseball

3.9

4

Marathon andEkiden road relay

4.2

4Marathon andEkiden road relay

3.3

5

Amateur baseball(University,
Company teams, etc.)

2.2

Football(High-school,
University, JFL, etc.)

1.75Volleyball(High-school, University,
V League, etc.)

10.9

1.7

※NPB: Nippon Professional BaseballFor both male and female, ”Professional baseball (NPB)” had the highest attendance
rate (16.6% for males and 10.9% for females).
This was followed by ”High-school baseball” in the case of males (7.7%),
and ”Professional football (J League)” in the case of females (4.4%).
Also, ”Marathon and Ekiden road relay” ranked highly among both male (4.2%)
and female (3.3%).

9

Sports spectating
Live sports spectating：Total and by genderLive sports spectating：By age

Live spectator sports types：By genderLive spectator sports types
Total (n=3,000)

18-19

39.4

(n=71)

Total

31.8

(n=3,000)

20-29

29.4

30-39

30.6

(n=381)(n=480)

40-49

Male

39.7

(n=595)36.6(n=1,491)

50-59

33.9

(n=481)

Female

60-69

27.1

(n=1,509)

26.8(n=564)70 and over

27.6

(n=428)

0

20

40
(%)

The percentage of people who attended a live sporting event at a stadium or arena in
the past year was 31.8%. In terms of gender, 36.6% of males and 27.1% offemales attended a live sporting event, a difference of 9.5points.
This trend of males attending live sporting events more than females has remained
unchanged since this survey item was added in 1994.

8

Rank

0

20

40

60
(%)

Live sports spectating was the highest for people in their 40-49 (39.7%), followedby those aged 18–19 (39.4%) and those in their 50-59 (33.9%).
This trend of a high percentage of people in their 40-49 attending live sporting
events was also seen in past surveys.

Types of sports①②③
Frequency Estimated annual
spectators （times/year） total（①×②）

Attendance
Estimated
rate
(%)

1

Professional
baseball(NPB※)

2

High-school
baseball3

Professional
football(J League)

5.5

4Marathon andEkiden road relay

3.8

5Football(High-school,
University, JFL, etc.)（in 10,000s）

13.7 1,452 2.09
5.8

1.9

615 3.03
583 2.82
403 1.34
201 7.14

Male (n=1,491)
Rank（in 10,000s）

3,035
1,863
1,644
540
1,435

Note: The estimated number of participants was calculated by multiplying the total
population of individuals aged 18 and over (106,011,547 people according to thebasic resident register as of January 1, 2017 in Japan) by the percentage of eachattendance level.
※NPB:Nippon Professional Baseball”Professional baseball (NPB)” had the highest attendance rate at 13.7%.
It was followed by ”High-school baseball” at 5.8%, ”Professional football (J League)”at 5.5%, and ”Marathon and Ekiden road relay” at 3.8%.

Types of sports

Female (n=1,509)

Attendance
rate
Rank
(%)

Types of sports

Professional
baseball(NPB※)

Attendance
rate
(%)

1

Professional
baseball(NPB※)

16.6

1

2

High-school
baseball

7.7

2

4.4

3

Professional
football(J League)

Professional
football(J League)

6.5

3High-school
baseball

3.9

4

Marathon andEkiden road relay

4.2

4Marathon andEkiden road relay

3.3

5

Amateur baseball(University,
Company teams, etc.)

2.2

Football(High-school,
University, JFL, etc.)

1.75Volleyball(High-school, University,
V League, etc.)

10.9

1.7

※NPB: Nippon Professional BaseballFor both male and female, ”Professional baseball (NPB)” had the highest attendance
rate (16.6% for males and 10.9% for females).
This was followed by ”High-school baseball” in the case of males (7.7%),
and ”Professional football (J League)” in the case of females (4.4%).
Also, ”Marathon and Ekiden road relay” ranked highly among both male (4.2%)
and female (3.3%).

9

Sports spectating
Live spectator sports types：By age
18‑19（n=71）
Rank

Types of sports

1High-school baseballProfessional football（J League）
Football（High-School,
University, JFL, etc.）
3
Professional baseball（NPB※）
Basketball（High-School,
5
University, WJBL, etc.）

250‑59（n=481）
Rank

Types of sports

Professional baseball（NPB※）
Professional football
2（J League）

1

3

High-school baseball4

Marathon andEkiden road relay

5

Sumo wrestling

Attendance rate Rank
（％）

12.7
9.9
7.0
7.0
4.2

6.4
4.6
3.5
2.9

※NPB : Nippon Professional Baseball

Types of sports

Professional baseball（NPB※）
Professional football
2（J League）

1

3

High-school baseball4

Amateur baseball（University, Company teams, etc.）
Football（High-School,
University, JFL, etc.）

5

Attendance rate Rank
（％）

14.3

20‑29（n=381）

60‑69（n=564）
Types of sports

Professional baseball（NPB※）
Marathon and2
Ekiden road relay

1

3

High-school baseball4

Professional football（J League）

5

Professional golf
Sumo wrestling

Attendance rate Rank
（％）

16.5
6.6
5.2
3.4
2.6

5.0
4.8
3.0
1.8
1.8

Types of sports

Professional baseball（NPB※）
Professional football
2（J League）

1

3

High-school baseball4

Professional basketball(B League)
Marathon andEkiden road relay

5

Attendance rate Rank
（％）

11.0

30‑39（n=480）

1
2
3

Types of sports spectating on TV：Total and by gender

Attendance rate Rank
（％）

14.8
7.7

1
2

40‑49（n=595）
Types of sports
Professional baseball（NPB※）

Attendance rate
（％）

Rank

Types of sports

9.1

1

Japan National Football
Team games including
the Olympics

5.2

14.1

Professional baseball（NPB※）
High-school baseballMarathon andEkiden road relay

4

Sumo wrestling

5

Professional golf

Types of sports

Japan National Football
Team games including
the Olympics

64.0

baseball
2 Professional※（NPB ）

51.8

baseball
2 Professional※（NPB ）

3

Figure skating

48.2

3

12.9

4

High-school baseball

44.8

4.0

5

Marathon andEkiden road relay

3.3
3.1
1.9

Professional football
3（J League）
Marathon and
4
Ekiden road relay
Football（High-School,
5
University, JFL, etc.）

6.7
3.5

Attendance rate
（％）

6.1
2.6
2.3

”High-school baseball” had the highest attendance rate for ages 18-19, while ”Professional baseball (NPB)” had the highest attendance among people who
aged 20 and over.
This was followed by ”Professional football (J League)” and ”High-school baseball” in second and third place for the age groups spanning 20 to 59; forpeople 60 and over, ”High-school baseball” then ”Marathon and Ekiden road relay” were second and third place.
”Sumo wrestling” also made it into the top five for the group who aged 50 and over, while ”Professional golf” did the same for the group who aged 60 and
over.

10

Viewing
rate
Rank
(%)

Male (n=1,491)

1

High-school baseball70 and over（n=428）
Types of sports

Total (n=3,000)

Didn't watch any sports on TV

Viewing
rate
Rank
(%)

67.3

Female (n=1,509)
Types of sports

Viewing
rate
(%)

1

Figure skating

63.2

63.2

2

Japan National Football
Team games including
the Olympics

60.7

High-school baseball

51.4

3

Professional baseball（NPB※）

40.6

4

Marathon andEkiden road relay

41.8

4

Marathon andEkiden road relay

39.8

40.8

5

Sumo wrestling

39.9

5

High-school baseball

38.2

10.1

Didn't watch any sports on TV

Didn't watch any sports on TV

11.7

8.5

※NPB:Nippon Professional Baseball

Of the sports that were watched on TV in the past year, the most popular was “Japan National Football Team games including the Olympics” at 64.0%, followed
by ”Professional baseball (NPB)” at 51.8%, ”Figure skating” at 48.2%, ”High-school baseball” at 44.8%, and ”Marathon and Ekiden road relay” at 40.8%.
Among males, “Japan National Football Team games including the Olympics” was the most watched on TV at 67.3%, followed by ”Professional baseball (NPB)”at 63.2% and ”High-school baseball” at 51.4%. Among females, ”Figure skating” was the most watched on TV at 63.2%, followed by “Japan National
Football Team games including the Olympics” at 60.7% and ”Professional baseball (NPB)” at 40.6%.

11

Sports spectating
Live spectator sports types：By age
18‑19（n=71）
Rank

Types of sports

1High-school baseballProfessional football（J League）
Football（High-School,
University, JFL, etc.）
3
Professional baseball（NPB※）
Basketball（High-School,
5
University, WJBL, etc.）

250‑59（n=481）
Rank

Types of sports

Professional baseball（NPB※）
Professional football
2（J League）

1

3

High-school baseball4

Marathon andEkiden road relay

5

Sumo wrestling

Attendance rate Rank
（％）

12.7
9.9
7.0
7.0
4.2

6.4
4.6
3.5
2.9

※NPB : Nippon Professional Baseball

Types of sports

Professional baseball（NPB※）
Professional football
2（J League）

1

3

High-school baseball4

Amateur baseball（University, Company teams, etc.）
Football（High-School,
University, JFL, etc.）

5

Attendance rate Rank
（％）

14.3

20‑29（n=381）

60‑69（n=564）
Types of sports

Professional baseball（NPB※）
Marathon and2
Ekiden road relay

1

3

High-school baseball4

Professional football（J League）

5

Professional golf
Sumo wrestling

Attendance rate Rank
（％）

16.5
6.6
5.2
3.4
2.6

5.0
4.8
3.0
1.8
1.8

Types of sports

Professional baseball（NPB※）
Professional football
2（J League）

1

3

High-school baseball4

Professional basketball(B League)
Marathon andEkiden road relay

5

Attendance rate Rank
（％）

11.0

30‑39（n=480）

1
2
3

Types of sports spectating on TV：Total and by gender

Attendance rate Rank
（％）

14.8
7.7

1
2

40‑49（n=595）
Types of sports
Professional baseball（NPB※）

Attendance rate
（％）

Rank

Types of sports

9.1

1

Japan National Football
Team games including
the Olympics

5.2

14.1

Professional baseball（NPB※）
High-school baseballMarathon andEkiden road relay

4

Sumo wrestling

5

Professional golf

Types of sports

Japan National Football
Team games including
the Olympics

64.0

baseball
2 Professional※（NPB ）

51.8

baseball
2 Professional※（NPB ）

3

Figure skating

48.2

3

12.9

4

High-school baseball

44.8

4.0

5

Marathon andEkiden road relay

3.3
3.1
1.9

Professional football
3（J League）
Marathon and
4
Ekiden road relay
Football（High-School,
5
University, JFL, etc.）

6.7
3.5

Attendance rate
（％）

6.1
2.6
2.3

”High-school baseball” had the highest attendance rate for ages 18-19, while ”Professional baseball (NPB)” had the highest attendance among people who
aged 20 and over.
This was followed by ”Professional football (J League)” and ”High-school baseball” in second and third place for the age groups spanning 20 to 59; forpeople 60 and over, ”High-school baseball” then ”Marathon and Ekiden road relay” were second and third place.
”Sumo wrestling” also made it into the top five for the group who aged 50 and over, while ”Professional golf” did the same for the group who aged 60 and
over.

10

Viewing
rate
Rank
(%)

Male (n=1,491)

1

High-school baseball70 and over（n=428）
Types of sports

Total (n=3,000)

Didn't watch any sports on TV

Viewing
rate
Rank
(%)

67.3

Female (n=1,509)
Types of sports

Viewing
rate
(%)

1

Figure skating

63.2

63.2

2

Japan National Football
Team games including
the Olympics

60.7

High-school baseball

51.4

3

Professional baseball（NPB※）

40.6

4

Marathon andEkiden road relay

41.8

4

Marathon andEkiden road relay

39.8

40.8

5

Sumo wrestling

39.9

5

High-school baseball

38.2

10.1

Didn't watch any sports on TV

Didn't watch any sports on TV

11.7

8.5

※NPB:Nippon Professional Baseball

Of the sports that were watched on TV in the past year, the most popular was “Japan National Football Team games including the Olympics” at 64.0%, followed
by ”Professional baseball (NPB)” at 51.8%, ”Figure skating” at 48.2%, ”High-school baseball” at 44.8%, and ”Marathon and Ekiden road relay” at 40.8%.
Among males, “Japan National Football Team games including the Olympics” was the most watched on TV at 67.3%, followed by ”Professional baseball (NPB)”at 63.2% and ”High-school baseball” at 51.4%. Among females, ”Figure skating” was the most watched on TV at 63.2%, followed by “Japan National
Football Team games including the Olympics” at 60.7% and ”Professional baseball (NPB)” at 40.6%.

11

Sports volunteering
Sports volunteering：Total and by gender
Participation rate

Sports volunteering：By age(n=3,000)

20-29

7.3

30-39

6.9

40-49

7.1

50-59

7.3

(n=381)14.7(n=480)8.2

Male(n=595)(n=1,491)

16.6(n=481)

5.3

Female

12.9
0

2

4

5.3

70 and over

6.3

6

8

10

12

(n=428)

14

16

18
(%)

6.7% of people participated in sports volunteering in the past year.
There has been almost no change in this statistic since the survey began in 1994.
In terms of gender, 8.2% of males and 5.3% of females participated in sports
volunteering. This trend of higher volunteer participation among males than females
was also seen in past surveys.

12

60-69

(n=564)(n=1,509)

Rate of desire to participate

9.9

18-19

(n=71)

6.7

Total

Participation rate

Rate of desire to participate

05

Towards the Realization of”Sport for Everyone” Society
36.6

19.7

Over the past several years, many books have attempted to predict Japan’s
future. Trends often mentioned include Japan’s population decline, declining
birth rate, aging society, and the social, economic, and financial effects
engendered by these multiple factors.
In response to these challenges, SSF proposes solutions based on the valueof sports. This is because we believe sports offer characteristics and values
capable of changing people’s lives, changing society, connecting to thewider world, and contributing to a better future. Activating the solutions
inherent in sports will require an understanding of these values among thewidest possible portion of society and a translation of these values into
everyday life. Ultimately, this will lead to government policies that promote a
culture of health and longevity, with the entire population involved in sports.

14.2
16.6
16.0
10.3
8.9
10

15

The Sasakawa Sports Foundation (SSF) has continued to pursue researchand survey activities, human resource development, and collaboration withlocal governments and sports promotion institutions under the banner of a“think tank specializing in sports.” Our dream is to create a society in which
everyone living in Japan can enjoy sports in their own way, whether throughparticipating or watching or volunteering. To put it another way, we want tocreate a “Sport for Everyone” society.

20

25

30

35

40
(%)

The sports volunteering participation rate was the highest for people aged 18-19(9.9%), followed by those in their 20-29 and 50-59 (7.3% for both those agegroups).
The rate of desire to participate was also the highest for people aged 18-19 (36.6%),
followed by those in their 20-29 (19.7%) then those in their 40-49 (16.6%).

SSF seeks to function as a think tank which collaborates with various figuresand organizations, operating beyond a narrowly defined concept of sports inorder to convert its inherent value into a force that can challenge a wide
range of societal issues both now and in the future.
As we look to the future, we will continue doing everything possible todevelop a “Sport for Everyone” society.

Kazutoshi Watanabe, President
Sasakawa Sports Foundation

Outline of Activities
1. Research and surveys
The Institute of Sports Policy, established in SSF carries out fact-finding surveys, casestudies and empirical research.
The institute gathers and analyses quantitative data and advanced cases in the country
as well as overseas, which are essential for the national government and local
governments to draft sports policy and for various organizations to plan sports promotion
programs. SSF proactively makes proposals for policies to governments and for plans tosports organizations, based on evidence obtained from the research and survey.

2. Collaboration with local governments
SSF promotes a nationwide sport program, which aims to encourage people to participate
in sports and physical activities, called Challenge Day. In this program, municipal
communities with similar size of populations compete over the percentage of theirresidents who did some kind of sports and physical activities for a minimum of fifteen
minutes on the last Wednesday of May. Through Challenge Day, SSF is able to forge
closer links with local governments and other organizations, and to verify that sports are
beneficial in building local communities and promoting relationships between people ofdifferent generations, and to propose a system in which individual residents can enjoy
sports in their communities.
Furthermore, in collaboration with local governments who participate in Challenge Day
and with other local governments nationwide, SSF draws up sports promotion plans for
local communities and offers the results of its surveys and research.

3. Public relations
SSF disseminates the information about its initiatives as described above, and releases
the latest sports information in the country and overseas that is beneficial for sports
policy research, through its official website, social media, symposiums, seminars, andinternational conferences.
As part of its public relations activities, SSF publishes the results of the National Sport andLifestyle Survey, which is biannually conducted to understand the state of participationand involvement in sports by Japanese, by means of a report called the SSF NationalSports-Life Survey.
SSF also brings out and extensively distributes Sport White Paper, in which the latest datain the country and overseas is printed.

Sports volunteering
Sports volunteering：Total and by gender
Participation rate

Sports volunteering：By age(n=3,000)

20-29

7.3

30-39

6.9

40-49

7.1

50-59

7.3

(n=381)14.7(n=480)8.2

Male(n=595)(n=1,491)

16.6(n=481)

5.3

Female

12.9
0

2

4

5.3

70 and over

6.3

6

8

10

12

(n=428)

14

16

18
(%)

6.7% of people participated in sports volunteering in the past year.
There has been almost no change in this statistic since the survey began in 1994.
In terms of gender, 8.2% of males and 5.3% of females participated in sports
volunteering. This trend of higher volunteer participation among males than females
was also seen in past surveys.

12

60-69

(n=564)(n=1,509)

Rate of desire to participate

9.9

18-19

(n=71)

6.7

Total

Participation rate

Rate of desire to participate

05

Towards the Realization of“Sport for Everyone” Society
36.6

19.7

Over the past several years, many books have attempted to predict Japan’s
future. Trends often mentioned include Japan’s population decline, declining
birth rate, aging society, and the social, economic, and financial effects
engendered by these multiple factors.
In response to these challenges, SSF proposes solutions based on the valueof sports. This is because we believe sports offer characteristics and values
capable of changing people’s lives, changing society, connecting to thewider world, and contributing to a better future. Activating the solutions
inherent in sports will require an understanding of these values among thewidest possible portion of society and a translation of these values into
everyday life. Ultimately, this will lead to government policies that promote a
culture of health and longevity, with the entire population involved in sports.

14.2
16.6
16.0
10.3
8.9
10

15

The Sasakawa Sports Foundation (SSF) has continued to pursue researchand survey activities, human resource development, and collaboration withlocal governments and sports promotion institutions under the banner of a“think tank specializing in sports.” Our dream is to create a society in which
everyone living in Japan can enjoy sports in their own way, whether throughparticipating or watching or volunteering. To put it another way, we want tocreate a “Sport for Everyone” society.

20

25

30

35

40
(%)

The sports volunteering participation rate was the highest for people aged 18-19(9.9%), followed by those in their 20-29 and 50-59 (7.3% for both those agegroups).
The rate of desire to participate was also the highest for people aged 18-19 (36.6%),
followed by those in their 20-29 (19.7%) then those in their 40-49 (16.6%).

SSF seeks to function as a think tank which collaborates with various figuresand organizations, operating beyond a narrowly defined concept of sports inorder to convert its inherent value into a force that can challenge a wide
range of societal issues both now and in the future.
As we look to the future, we will continue doing everything possible todevelop a “Sport for Everyone” society.

Kazutoshi Watanabe, President
Sasakawa Sports Foundation

Outline of Activities
1. Research and surveys
The Institute of Sports Policy, established in SSF carries out fact-finding surveys, casestudies and empirical research.
The institute gathers and analyses quantitative data and advanced cases in the country
as well as overseas, which are essential for the national government and local
governments to draft sports policy and for various organizations to plan sports promotion
programs. SSF proactively makes proposals for policies to governments and for plans tosports organizations, based on evidence obtained from the research and survey.

2. Collaboration with local governments
SSF promotes a nationwide sport program, which aims to encourage people to participate
in sports and physical activities, called Challenge Day. In this program, municipal
communities with similar size of populations compete over the percentage of theirresidents who did some kind of sports and physical activities for a minimum of fifteen
minutes on the last Wednesday of May. Through Challenge Day, SSF is able to forge
closer links with local governments and other organizations, and to verify that sports are
beneficial in building local communities and promoting relationships between people ofdifferent generations, and to propose a system in which individual residents can enjoy
sports in their communities.
Furthermore, in collaboration with local governments who participate in Challenge Day
and with other local governments nationwide, SSF draws up sports promotion plans for
local communities and offers the results of its surveys and research.

3. Public relations
SSF disseminates the information about its initiatives as described above, and releases
the latest sports information in the country and overseas that is beneficial for sports
policy research, through its official website, social media, symposiums, seminars, andinternational conferences.
As part of its public relations activities, SSF publishes the results of the National Sport andLifestyle Survey, which is biannually conducted to understand the state of participationand involvement in sports by Japanese, by means of a report called the SSF NationalSports-Life Survey.
SSF also brings out and extensively distributes Sport White Paper, in which the latest datain the country and overseas is printed.

The 2018
SSF National Sports-Life Survey
Executive Summary March 2019, JapanThe 2018
SSF National Sports-Life Survey
Executive Summary
March 2019, Japan