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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994 > PART II Chapter 8 Section 3 2

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PART II Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture
Chapter 8. Promoting Sports
Section 3. Promoting Competitive Sports
2. Promoting Professional Sports


The rising level of public interest in professional sports is apparent from the extreme popularity of Japan's first professional soccer league, which went into action in May 1993. There is also wide support from all sectors of society for professional spectator sports, such as baseball, sumo, and golf.

Professional sports play an extremely significant role. They make a major contribution to the development of interest in sports, especially among young people, and to the expansion of the sports population. In addition, the advanced skills of professional athletes enhance the competitiveness of sports in general.

In line with the recommendations of the November 1989 report of the Health and Physical Education Council, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is actively implementing measures to support the sound development of professional sports. In December 1990 the Ministry approved the establishment of the Japan Professional Sports Association as a coordinating body for professional sports. The Ministry has also expanded eligibility for sports merit awards, which were originally limited to amateur sports, to include professional sports. In January 1994 professional sports merit awards were presented to seven athletes. In addition, since fiscal 1991 the Ministry has supported professional sports championships in golf and other sports and awarded Minister of Education, Science and Culture cups to the winners.

In recent years professional athletes have been permitted to participate in some sports at the Olympic Games and other international sports events. Professionals competed in six sports, including soccer and basketball, at the Olympic Games in Barcelona and in figure skating events at the Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer. This change necessitates increased coordination and cooperation between professional sports and amateur sports. For this reason the Amateur-Professional Sports Exchange Conference was held in fiscal 1994 to provide representatives of amateur and professional sports organizations, local governments, and other organizations with an opportunity to study and discuss such matters as international trends in amateur sports, the training of athletes, and interaction among instructors.


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