Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERNMENT POLICIESIN EDUCATION, SCIENCE, SPORTSAND CULTURE1998 > MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH AND SPORTS CHAPTER3 SECTION3 7

The private sports industry also plays an important role in realizing a fulfilling sports life.The private sports indushy supports golf,tennis,swimming,fitness and bowling,primarily using sports facilities procured in the commercial market.These are areas wbere the public sector has had limited involvement(outdoor public swimming pools have been set up,but not many public swimming pools are indoor that can be utilized year-round)and areas where there is great demand.The private sports industry plays an important role in the realization of a lifelong sports society.The services provided by the private sports indushy,however,tend to be only for sports where there is great demand,and entrance fees and memberships are expensive.As the Japanese come to insist strongly that their specific choices are met,it is important that cheaper,high quality services be made available.

Companies have their own sports teams and sponsor or support sports events in order to improve corporate image and to make a contribution to society.By so doing they conhibute to the improved competitiveness and dissemination of sports in Japan.They especially play a major role in training and strengthening top athletes by recruiting them and providing them with a sports environment.Company sports,however,are vulnerable to economic conditions.In times of recession,sports teams are often the first initiative to be terminated or temporarily halted.Company sports also tend to be biased toward the current sports fad,with support being given to volleyball at one time,then women's marathon at another,etc.As companies are expected to continue playing a major role in the promotion of sports in Japan,it is desirable to continue facilitating this support.Company support has traditionally been biased toward competitive sports.In the future,however,it is desirable that companies actively share their sports facilities,inshuctors and other resources for the promotion of sports in communities,as members of their local communities.In FY1998,a system was set up to extend tax breaks to companies which make their sports facilities available to local residents through local governments.