Pickleball boom arrives in Japan amid push to add sport to 2032 Olympics

TOKYO (Kyodo) - Pickleball, a sport originating in the United States, is rapidly gaining popularity in Japan, with the number of players more than doubling within the past year. Tokyo recently hosted the inaugural Tour Asia games in July, as enthusiasts push for the sport's inclusion in the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, Australia. The game, played on a court identical to badminton courts, involves hitting a perforated, plastic ball with paddles.

Approximately 24.3 million individuals in the United States partake in pickleball, while Japan has only around 330,000 players, according to domestic media. However, this number has surged more than sevenfold in a single year. The Professional Pickleball Association Tour Asia, held in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, in early July, attracted more than 100 professional and over 300 amateur players from the United States and Asia. Princess Hisako, widow of Prince Takamado, attended the final match, which drew large crowds.

Yuta Funemizu, a winner of the men's doubles final, believes that Japan can create a wave of pickleball enthusiasm if the sport's fun nature is effectively showcased. In April, two Japanese pickleball associations merged to form the Pickleball Japan Federation, aiming to unify rules, philosophy, and tournament formats globally. This move comes amid a push to include the sport in the 2032 Olympic Games.

Rika Riordan, chairperson of the Pickleball Japan Federation, stated that the federation's acceptance into the Japan Sport Association in June will create ties with municipalities and schools, further promoting the sport. Despite the sport's growing popularity in Japan, enthusiasts still face a challenge: the lack of pickleball courts. Riordan emphasized that while pickleball spreads quickly, Japan must catch up by providing more spaces for those curious about the game.