Soft tennis
Soft tennis is a racket game played on a court of two halves, separated by a net. Soft Tennis game originated in Japan in 1884. Like regular tennis, it is played by individuals (singles) or pairs (doubles), whose object is to hit the ball over the net, landing within the confines of the court, with the aim of preventing one's opponent from being able to hit it back. Soft tennis differs from regular tennis in that it uses soft rubber balls instead of hard yellow balls. It is played primarily in Asia, especially in Japan, Taiwan, South  Korea, India, Thailand, and the Philippines. In 2004, soft tennis was introduced into Europe. Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom all now have active soft tennis federations. All of them are also members of the European Soft Tennis Federation, and the International Federation JSTA. History. Soft Tennis game originated in Japan in 1884. At the end of the 19th century, tennis was introduced to Japan by a Western missionary, and it was later modified to better suit Japanese tastes. A special racquet and ball were developed, and the game became known as . Soft Tennis  was included in the 1990 Asian Games as an exhibition game and later became an official event in the 1994 Asian Games, It continues to be an official event at the Asian Games. In 1955, the Asian Soft Tennis Federation was established by the three countries of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The Federation held the Asian Championships against the three countries from 1956 to 1973. 1970 Japan-US Soft Tennis Promotion Liaison Council is established. This is a liaison organization with the American school, and realized a friendly match between Japan and the United States for junior high school  students. In 1972, the Hawaii Soft Tennis Federation was established in Hawaii, United States. Held a state championship at the same time. Adopted as a regular physical education event at a public high school in Hawaii [Note 14]. Before and after the establishment of the Hawaii Soft Tennis Association, the Hong Kong Soft Tennis Association was established with the efforts of Taiwan (Republic of China Network Association). The Soft Tennis Association was also established in Venezuela, Brazil . June 1974 Held the 1st Japan-US High School Friendship Tournament [Note 15]. 1974 Established the International Federation of Soft Tennis Balls  [Note 16]. In 1975, the 1st World Soft Tennis Championships (currently the World Soft Tennis Championships) was held in Hawaii, USA, sponsored by the International Soft Tennis Federation and under the supervision of the Japan Soft Tennis Federation. [Note 17] In 1977, the 2nd World Championship was held in Taichung City, Republic of China (Taiwan). In the latter half of the 1970s, dissemination activities to Europe and the African continent (Zaire, etc.) began. October 1978 The Scout Association of Japan  promotes activities on the west coast of the United States. This will be the first landing in the continental  United States. Exhibitions and demonstrations mainly at high schools and universities In 1979, the 3rd World Championship  was held in Daegu, South Korea. In 1979, the national team traveled to the United States to demonstrate in California. The promotion activities to Europe that started in the 1970s [Note 18] are still continuing mainly in Eastern Europe, the European Soft Tennis Federation has been established, and tournaments are held regularly in Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, etc. . In 1981, the 4th World Championship was held in Hilo, Hawaii, USA. The Japan Federation-led tournament was expected to be held in  Japan for the first time, but it was abandoned due to the Taiwan issue, and it was held in Hawaii following the first tournament. In December 1982, the 1st Asian Student Championship [Note 19] was held in Tainan City, Republic of China (Taiwan). In 1983, the 5th World Championship was held in Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan. A Japanese boy loses to South Korea and surrenders the group title for the first time. In November 1984, the 2nd Asian Student Championship was held in Daegu, South Korea. In 1985, the World Championship was held for the first time in Japan (Aichi Prefectural  Gymnasium, Nagoya City) (6th World Championship). The Taiwan issue, which was a pending issue, was concessed by the Republic of China and participated as Taipei, China (Chinese Taipei, China) in accordance with the IOC law. In the boys, Taiwan won the group championship and won the best 4 in the individual competition. Around this time, with the goal of entering the Asian Games event, dissemination activities to Asian countries other than South Korea and Taiwan are actively carried out. In November 1986, the 3rd Asian Student Championship was held in Tokyo (Komazawa Gymnasium). 1986 An international convention is held in  Sao Paulo, Brazil. Six countries from the United States (selected by Hawaii), Canada, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Japan, and Brazil participated. Current situation in Japan In the 1970s, it was said that "soft tennis is the most popular sport in middle and high school" . Currently, there is a competitive population (registrants) of about 600,000 in Japan. The Japan Soft Tennis Federation estimates that there are about 7 million enthusiasts . However, it is also a fact that the minor feeling is extremely strong in the consciousness of lovers in general. The causes are that it is not an Olympic  event, that there have been no professional athletes in Japan for a long time [Note 38] , and that it is recognized that school physical education (junior high school, high school) is the main focus [Note 39]. ], The influence of tennis (rigid tennis, lawn tennis) [Note 40], which has rapidly become popular in Japan since the 1980s, is considered. International Soft Tennis Federation. The International Soft Tennis Federation (ISTF) was established in 1973 and is the premier soft tennis governing body. 1970 Japan-US Soft Tennis Promotion Liaison Council is established. This is a liaison organization with the American school , and realized a friendly match between Japan and the United States for junior high school students. In 1972, the Hawaii Soft Tennis Federation was established in Hawaii, United States. Held a state championship at the same time. Adopted as a regular physical education event at a public high school in Hawaii. Before and after the establishment of the Hawaii Soft Tennis Association, the Hong Kong Soft Tennis Association was established with the efforts of Taiwan (Republic of China Network Association). The Soft Tennis Association was also established in Venezuela, Brazil. June 1974 Held the 1st Japan-US High School Friendship  Tournament. Members. In 2022 Have 60 members: Asia:25 Ocean:2 Euro:21 America:11 Africa:1 MEMBERS Countries. POLAND Competition. Most of the rules for soft tennis are the same as those for regular tennis. When the rules were revised in 1992, singles became a formal event. This revision also enabled a forward player in doubles to serve. The serve plays an important role in a team's chances of winning. The world championship was held every two years until 1987. Thereafter, the competition is held every four years. The following is a list of World Soft Tennis Championships and World Junior Soft Tennis  Championships held by the International Soft Tennis Federation. See also. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_internationale_de_soft_tennis https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%BD%E3%83%95%E3%83%88%E3%83%86%E3%83%8B%E3%82%B9