Exploring Japan’s Most Popular Sports: From Baseball to Kendo

Japan is known for its love and passion for sports. From traditional martial arts to modern sports such as baseball and football, Japan has a wide range of popular sports that attract millions of people each year. In this article, we will explore the most popular sports in Japan, with interesting statistics and data about each one.

1. Baseball

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan. The first baseball game was played in Japan in 1873 and has since become the national sport of the country. Japan’s professional baseball league, the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), was founded in 1950 and currently has 12 teams. The NPB has an average attendance of around 25,000 people per game, with a total of 24.4 million spectators in 2019. Additionally, the Japan Series, the final of the NPB, is one of the country’s most important sporting events and attracts a large number of fans.

2. Soccer / Football

Football is another popular sport in Japan. Japan’s professional football league, the J.League, was founded in 1992 and currently has 20 teams. The J.League’s average attendance is around 18,000 people per game, with a total of 8.7 million spectators in the 2020 season. Additionally, Japan’s national football team, the Samurai Blue, has participated in each of the last six FIFA World Cups and has won four Asian Cup titles.

3. Sumo

Sumo is one of Japan’s oldest and most traditional sports. The sport consists of two wrestlers trying to push each other out of a clay circle. Sumo is considered a national sport in Japan, and sumo wrestlers are considered elite athletes. The Japan Sumo Association organizes six tournaments a year, each lasting 15 days. The biggest sumo tournament, the New Year Tournament, attracts over 800,000 spectators each year.

4. Kendo

Kendo is a Japanese martial art that focuses on the use of a bamboo sword. The goal of kendo is to strike your opponent in the body or head to score points. Kendo is a popular sport in Japan and is practiced by millions of people throughout the country. The All Japan Kendo Federation has over 1.6 million members and organizes a series of tournaments throughout the year.

5. Judo

Judo is another Japanese martial art that focuses on throwing and ground fighting. The goal of judo is to throw your opponent or immobilize them on the ground. Judo is a popular sport in Japan and is practiced by millions of people throughout the country. The All Japan Judo Federation has over 200,000 members and organizes a series of tournaments throughout the year. Judo is also an Olympic sport, and Japan has won a total of 84 medals in judo at the Olympic Games, including 39 gold medals.

6. Golf

Golf is another popular sport in Japan. The country has over 2,000 golf courses and has a large number of golf players. Japan’s professional golf circuit, the Japan Golf Tour, currently has 29 tournaments and attracts some of the world’s best golfers. Additionally, Japan has produced some of the world’s best golfers, such as Hideki Matsuyama, who won the Masters Tournament in 2021.

7. Basketball

Basketball is another popular sport in Japan. Japan’s professional basketball league, the B.League, was founded in 2016 and currently has 20 teams. The B.League’s average attendance is around 4,000 people per game, with a total of 1.5 million spectators in the 2020-2021 season. Additionally, Japan’s national basketball team has participated in the Olympics five times and has won three medals at the Asian Games.

In conclusion, Japan is a country with a wide range of popular sports, from traditional sports such as sumo and kendo to modern sports like soccer and baseball. Each sport has its own culture and community in Japan, attracting millions of fans and practitioners throughout the country. These sports are not only a form of entertainment but also an important part of Japanese identity and culture.