Sports in Japan

 

People of all ages enjoy watching and participating in sports in Japan. Sports in Japan date back to the 12th century when samurai, or military nobility, introduced sports like kendo (Japanese Stick Fencing), kyudo (archery), and jujustu (judo) to their populace. In the Edo Period (1600-1868), these athletic games became martial arts, with a focus on the mental aspect of each activity to elevate the participant to a higher level. The sports were passed on from generation to generations and continue to thrive today. Sumo is also a traditional martial arts that has a long and rich history. It originated around 2,000 years ago as a dance performed to please the Shinto gods. Today, it's considered Japan's National Sport. Even today, the sport includes elements of the Shinto religion. For example, the ritualistic act of throwing salt on the ground before each match is a symbol of purification. Sumo rules are simple. The rules of sumo are quite simple. Rarely, the fight can last a minute. Six tournaments take place throughout the year. Each one lasts 15 days.

Baseball was one of the first Western sports introduced to Japan in 1872, with the Meiji Restoration. Since then, baseball has become one of Japan's most popular spectator games. Thousands of fans attend professional games each season held in stadiums located in major cities across the country. The games are broadcast on TV several times per week and feature teams from the Central and Pacific leagues. Each league has six teams. In the last few years, the number of Japanese baseball players playing in the American Major Leagues has increased. Their games are also covered extensively by the Japanese media. The number of university and high school baseball teams is also large. Each summer, the All Japan High School Baseball Championship, which is broadcast nationwide and seen by millions, takes place. Soccer is the second most popular sport in Japan, after baseball. It was introduced to the nation in 1993, when the J-League professional soccer league with two divisions J1 and J2 was created. In Japan, soccer was played by amateurs long before the 1998 World Cup in France 메이저리그중계.

Golf is the second most popular sport in Japan, right behind soccer. Golf became popular in Japan after the bubble economy boom and the subsequent affluence of the 1980's. In the past, golf was a privilege enjoyed by a select few. However, the "salaryman" began to enjoy it more and more as a way to expand his business network. He would play a couple of rounds on Sundays with potential clients. At the time, memberships at prestigious clubs cost between 100 and 400 million yen. They were highly sought-after by companies that wanted to join the ranks of the people who often closed more business on the golf course rather than in the conference rooms. The cost of golf in Japan remains high due to the increasing number of players, and the limited amount of space. Prices for 18 holes can range from 20,000 yen up, and caddy fees and meals are not usually included. When calculating the cost of golfing in Japan, "hole in one" insurance is also a factor to consider. The lucky (or unlucky) ones who sink the "hole in one", celebrate by paying all the fees of their fellow members that day and giving expensive gifts to those present. Insurance was available for purchase to cover any residual costs for those who were able to hit this difficult shot.