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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN EDUCATION,SCIENCE AND CULTURE1991 > PART1 PART1A Chapter1 �4

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PART 1 SPORTS AND HEALTH
PART 1 A Promotion of Physical Education and Sports
Chapter 1 Promotion of Physical Education and Sports
�4 Systems for the Promotion of Physical Education and Sports


Although sports activities are, as such, something carried out spontaneously and autonomously by the people, national and local public organizations have endeavored to improve conditions so that people can enjoy sports at any time or place. Also, various kinds of sports organizations have played a significant role in promoting sports through activities such as holding athletic meets, training coaches and leaders. etc.

1 Organizations for Sports Administration

Administrative organizations in charge of sports are, at the national level, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and at the prefectural and municipal levels, boards of education. Sports promotion including the development and enrichment of sports facilities, improvements in "sports-for-all" activities, the promotion of competitive sports and the enrichment of school physical education activities and other activities are thus carried out with the cooperation of these and related administrative organizations.

In undertaking sports promotion, it is vital that a wide range of expert opinion is appropriately reflected in actual policy. For this reason the Health and Physical Education Council was established as an advisory body to the Minister with the task of investigating and deliberating on important issues related to sports, health education in schools, and school lunches.

Furthermore, the Sports Promotion Law prescribes that a council on sports promotion shall be established at the prefectural level for investigating and deliberating on important issues regarding sports promotion upon inquiry by the prefectural governor or board of education. At the municipal level as well, a similar council may be established when deemed necessary.

The National Stadium and School Health Center of Japan was established as a special legal corporation, which along with establishing and managing representative national sports facilities such as the National Stadium, also sets up the Sports Promotion Fund and carries out sports promotion in general.

2 Japan's Sports Associations

Sports associations play a significant role in promoting sports in Japan. For this reason, the Ministry strives to promote sports through working in cooperation with the Japan Amateur Sports Association, the governing organization for a range of amateur sports associations, the Japanese Olympic Committee and other sports associations.

The Japan Amateur Sports Association was founded with the purpose of spreading and promoting sports throughout the nation. It is made up of 48 athletic organizations representing their respective sports and 47 prefectural amateur sports associations representing the nation's prefectures.

The Japanese Olympic Committee represents Japan as a member of the International Olympic Committee. It carries out training activities for athletes and contributes to the spread of the Olympic movement. Previously, the Japanese Olympic Committee was a part of the Japan Amateur Sports Association but as of 1989 became an independent legal corporation composed of 44 athletic associations.

(See Chart 2)

Furthermore, in the area of recreation, the National Recreation Association of Japan plays a guiding role in the nation's recreational activities.

Chart 2 Organization of Japan's Amateur Sports World

In addition to the aforementioned organizations, there are other organizations representing a variety of sports, each with their own goals, carrying out various activities related to the spread and promotion of sports. In addition to amateur sports associations, the Japan Professional Sports Association was established in December 1990 as the governing organization within the professional sports world.


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