Sports Day (体育の日-Taiiku no hi) is a national holiday.
The Japanese take their Sports Day very seriously and often have weeks of practice for the events. Sports Day events start early with speeches from the government or people in leadership positions.
It has been celebrated since 1966 to commemorate the opening of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo (which took place in October that year to avoid the rainy season in July in the country). The date promotes the practice of sports and a healthy lifestyle. For a long time, this date was celebrated on October 10, but from the year 2000 onwards.
On this day, most schools, neighborhoods and institutions in Japan take advantage of the holiday to organize Undoukai, the traditional sports competitions. The event consists of a meeting of games and exercises.
Undoukai is a very fun activity, especially for children, but locals, parents and teachers also participate. Competitions are held, in a kind of mini-Olympics, with athletic events such as 100-meter races, obstacle races, relay races, sack races, tug-of-war, etc.
In Japan, sports are considered a wholesome pastime that develops good discipline, builds character, encourages fair play, and promotes sportsmanship. Win or lose, the Japanese will enthusiastically cheer on an athlete who puts forth a sincere effort. At sporting events, competitors are often cheered on with shouts of Ganbate! (go for it).
Sumo is considered Japan’s national sport and is very popular, while judo and karate have become international sports. The government provides access to a variety of sports for its residents, including tennis, table tennis, volleyball, swimming, and others. Thanks to constant investment in sports facilities, equipment, and instructors, Japan has achieved increasingly positive results at the Olympic Games.
Today, many Japanese athletes, especially in soccer and baseball, are internationally renowned. Soccer in Japan began to grow with the arrival of Brazilian player Zico in the local championship that was just emerging, the J-League, created in 1992. Already the second most practiced sport in schools, the aim is to create a soccer culture that ensures its practice by the population. Since then, the league’s clubs have had many foreign athletes, mainly Brazilians.
* National Holiday, Sports Day: 2nd Monday in October.
And one of the Brazilian contributions that has been standing out in Japan is JEBRA JAPÃO, which brings together Brazilian and Japanese athletes from various provinces to compete.
JEBRA Japão is one of the main school sports events for the Brazilian community in Japan, and its objective is to promote integration and encourage the practice of sports among Brazilian students.
Project Support: JAPAN GUIDE 「Guia Japão」