Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERNMENT POLICIESIN EDUCATION, SCIENCE, SPORTSAND CULTURE1998 > MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH AND SPORTS CHAPTER1 SECTION3 3

Policies for lifelong sports are centered on developing a habit in many people to exercise,and responding to the diverse needs of sports to create an environment in which everyone is able to freely enjoy them.In order to develop a habit of exercising,it is important to experience the enjoyment of sports while young.Thus,physical education classes at school and extracurricular sports club activities take on a more significant role in experiencing sports.While cultivating the abilities and skills,and moreover,improving the basic stamina and capacity to positively enjoy exercise throughout one's life,measures are necessary to improve school curricula,so that mind and body can be liberated through sports and people will be able to enjoy physical activity.In order for everyone to be able to freely enjoy sports,it is necessary to strive to develop an environment where people can constantly participate in sports.It is therefore important to advance policies from the following perspectives:1)the development of sports facilities;2)the establishment and development of organizations in which local residents can freely participate in sports;3)the implementation of sports promotion projects;and4)the training and utilization of sports instructors.Fundamentally,these policies are carried out by local governments with respect to local conditions,but the central government is needed to play a supporting role by granting subsidies,managing the system and providing guidance.Sports facilities provide the basic conditions for sports activities,and their development is indispensable for a lifelong sports society.It is necessary to increase the number of facilities so that local residents can access them more easily,and to further promote the efficient use of existing sports facilities.In order to realize a lifelong sports society,sports facilities alone are insufficient,and the enhancement of various other elements is required;in particular,it is necessary to create an environment and develop organizations in which local residents can freely participate in sports.

MESSC has proposed comprehensive community sports clubs( see Chapter3,Section3-2 )asa method for developing this structure.

It is also important to provide opportunities for beginning sports,and goals and encouragement for further participation in sports.It is very important to plan sports-related events,such as tournaments and sports seminars,and MESSC promotes them both directly and indirectly.Sports instructors provide the support for such sports activities.The need for sports instructors is seeing a further increase in today's society in accordance with the diverse and advanced sports activities of the public.Sports instructors are expected to acquire wider knowledge,education and expertise,and greater development of instructional skills.The training and utilization of sports instructors who can develop an accurate understanding of sports needs and instruct appropriately is necessary.Along with these policies,the Japanese need to reconsider their lifestyle.The average working hours of the Japanese are longer than those of the Europeans and the Americans,and many people spend a long time commuting to work,particularly in urban areas.Taking note of the fact that an overwhelming number of people state that they do not have enough time to participate in sports,reconsidering lifestyles and creating spare time for participating in sports is essential for the realization of a lifelong sports society.