Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994 > PART II Chapter 10 Section 3 4

Sports represent a cultural activity shared by all humanity, and international exchange through sports is an extremely effective way of improving understanding with other countries. Japan is involved in a wide range of exchange activities at all levels, from world-class athletes down to ordinary citizens. The content of these activities is also diverse, ranging from programs centered on international competitions to various types of grass-roots exchange programs and sports-related research cooperation.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture administers a program to send sports instructors overseas to study the sports situation in other countries. The Ministry also provides subsidies to help defray the expenses of sports exchange projects implemented by municipalities, with the aim of promoting mutual understanding and friendship through sports activities between local residents and citizens of other countries in Asia and elsewhere.

In addition, the Ministry subsidizes international exchange programs implemented by the Japanese Olympic Committee and the Japan Amateur Sports Association, including the dispatch of athletes to participate in Olympic Games and the acceptance and training of youth sports instructors. The Ministry also provides support and cooperation for international sports events held in Japan, including the 12th Asian Games, which were held in Hiroshima in October 1994, as well as Universiade '95 in Fukuoka and the 18th Olympic Winter Games in Nagano in 1998.