Introduction
As mentioned in the article on Nagoya Grampus official website 2024-11-12, community-based management is an important element in Japan’s professional sports world. In particular, various professional sports organizations such as the J League (Japan Professional Soccer League), B League (Japan Professional Basketball League), and professional baseball are promoting multicultural coexistence initiatives that aim to coexist with foreign athletes and local foreign residents while deepening ties with local communities. In this paper, we will discuss these efforts using specific examples.
1. J League’s efforts toward multicultural coexistence
Since its inception in 1993, the J League has advocated “community-based” as one of its philosophies, and emphasizes cooperation with local communities. In this context, initiatives related to multicultural coexistence are also actively being carried out.
1.1 Support for foreign athletes
There are many foreign players in the J League, and the club provides interpreters and Japanese language education to support their daily lives, as well as holding exchange events with the local community. For example, clubs such as Urawa Reds and Kawasaki Frontale run programs in which foreign players visit local schools and interact with children.
1.2 Support for local foreign residents
Many J League clubs are offering match viewing experiences and introducing multilingual services in order to deepen interactions with foreign residents living in the area. For example, Nagoya Grampus provides game commentary in Portuguese for the Brazilian community living in Japan, and Yokohama F. Marinos has installed multilingual guides at the stadium.
1.3 Festivals and social events
Additionally, J League clubs hold events to promote multicultural coexistence while respecting local culture. Shimizu S-Pulse has established an “International Day” where local foreign residents can participate, and provides a place to promote cultural fusion by selling international cuisine and performing traditional dances at the stadium.
2. B League’s multicultural initiatives
The B League, Japan’s professional basketball league, also has a high proportion of foreign players and promotes multicultural coexistence with the local community.
2.1 Exchange between foreign athletes and local residents
It has become common for B League clubs for foreign players to hold basketball clinics with local children. For example, the Ryukyu Golden Kings visit schools in Okinawa Prefecture, where foreign players teach basketball and communicate the importance of multicultural coexistence.
2.2 Multilingual match management
For B League matches, an increasing number of clubs are preparing multilingual match commentary and pamphlets for fans who speak languages other than Japanese. The Chiba Jets offers game programs in English and Chinese, and the Yokohama Bee Corsairs organizes viewing tours for foreigners, making efforts to attract international spectators.
3. Initiatives for multicultural coexistence in professional baseball
Japan’s professional baseball (NPB) is a league in which many foreign players from the United States and Central and South America play an active role, and initiatives for multicultural coexistence are also emphasized.
3.1 Support and interaction with foreign athletes
Professional baseball teams provide interpreters and family support to help foreign players adjust to life in Japan. In addition, baseball teams such as the Hanshin Tigers and Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks have foreign players visiting local schools and holding baseball classes, and other activities to interact with local residents.
3.2 Community-based international exchange event
By holding international exchange events, professional baseball teams provide opportunities for foreign residents to integrate into Japanese society through sports. For example, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters holds a free invitation event for foreigners living in Japan to convey the joy of sports through watching games at the stadium.
3.3 Initiatives to promote cross-cultural understanding
In addition, the Yomiuri Giants and Hiroshima Toyo Carp hold events to introduce the home cultures of their foreign players, selling food from those countries in their stadiums and presenting traditional performances, thereby deepening mutual understanding between Japanese fans and foreign players.
Summary
In Japan’s professional sports world, sports such as the J League, B League, and professional baseball are working together with local communities to promote multicultural coexistence. Through a variety of activities such as supporting foreign athletes, interacting with local residents, operating matches in multiple languages, and hosting international exchange events, they are building an environment where diverse cultures can coexist while strengthening the ties between Japanese sports culture and local communities. It is expected that these efforts will further develop in the future and contribute to the promotion of the internationalization of Japanese society as a whole.