ble environment. Companies thus play an important role in bolstering Japan’s competitiveness in athletics.

Due to the recent severe economic situation, however, some of these company sports teams were forced to suspend or discontinue their activities, and this has seriously undermined the foundation of activities for top-level competitors at these companies.

In response to this situation, MEXT examined the future of competitive sports organizations, sports leagues, company teams, and sport clubs, especially focusing on team sports and compiled a report in March 2003. The report summarizes the present situation with company sports and makes recommendations on the desirable future partnership between companies and sports.

Also since FY2003, MEXT has been implementing a project named “Top League Support Project” in order to stabilize and activate the management of sports leagues. Under the project, people with management abilities are dispatched to organizations that manage the top-level national leagues in Japan. Furthermore for those top-level sports clubs who are pursuing managerial independence from their companies, MEXT has been running a Top-Level Sports Club Activities Support Project” and supporting these clubs in strengthening their financial foundations and in running projects to cooperate with the local community, which will provide good examples for similar clubs.

## 3 Supporting Domestic and International Competitions

## (1) Hosting International Competitions

In Japan, many international competitions have been held by central athletics sports organizations and local governments, supported by the national government and private companies (Figure 1-2-11).

These international competitions greatly contribute to the promotion of sport, improvements in competitiveness, and international amity through sport.

In addition, many people are deeply moved when watching the performance of world-class athletes with their own eyes.

According to the “Physical Fitness and Sports Survey” conducted by the Cabinet Office in February 2004, 84.5% of respondents answered “good” to the question regarding the hosting of international competitions by Japan. Most Japanese citizens thus actively support the organization of international competitions in Japan (Figure 1-2-10).

Japan hosted the 2002 World Cup, the top soc-

cer tournament in the world jointly with South Korea. It was the first time that two countries had jointly hosted the World Cup. MEXT gives support to inviting and organizing international competitions in a variety of forms, and acts as liaison and coordinator between organizations preparing and managing the competitions and related governmental ministries and agencies, as well as an advisor on management plans.

## (2) Hosting National Athletics Festivals

The National Athletics Festival is Japan’s largest national sports meet and held jointly by the Japan Amateur Sports Association, MEXT and the hosting prefecture. In order to promote sports widely and improve people’s physical fitness as well as to foster local sports and culture, the festival is held every year, in which athletes representing each prefecture participate and compete with those from other prefectures.

At the 59th National Athletics Festival held in 2004, the skate and ice hockey competitions were held in Aomori Prefecture from January 28 to February 1 and the ski competition in Yamagata Prefecture from February 21 to 24 as the Winter Session of the Festival. The Summer and Fall Sessions were both held in