{
  "id": 7447397,
  "title": "The Japan Times to participate as official media partner of Esports Research Network Conference 2026 (ERNC 2026)",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/esports-research-network-conference-2026-ernc-2026",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T02:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/press/2026/09/15/ernc-2026-jp/"
  },
  "original_language": "ja",
  "account": "The Japan Times has announced it will serve as the official media partner for the \"eSports Research Network Conference 2026 (ERNC 2026)\" held from September 15th to 17th at Tohoku University. This marks the first time a Japanese company is participating in the international conference of the Esports Research Network (ERN), which aims to bridge gaming heritage and future esports.\n\nFor the first time at this conference, business leaders will join academic experts, signaling a unique fusion of research and industry. Founded in 2019, ERN boasts over 60 countries and more than 600 members, with growing interest from more than 20 countries and 30 universities for the 2026 event.\n\nThe conference line-up includes representatives from Sega, Japan Esports Association, and SEGA's special advisor, Professor Oka Yusuke. Keynote speaker Tobias Scholz, a professor from Agder University and former ERN president, is also confirmed to speak. Additionally, Agder University's visiting professor Tobias Scholz will participate.\n\nThe conference, hosted by Tohoku University's Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences with support from Singapore-based esports education company GAKU Pte.Ltd., was made possible through partnerships with Japan's public-benefit KDDI Foundation and Tohoku University International Tourism Congress Association.\n\nThe Japan Times will provide editorial content for the conference, including reports and interviews with speakers. This partnership aims to maximize the conference's reach both domestically and internationally through the media channels of The Japan Times.\n\nGAKU's founder and CEO, Okamoto Sayo, expressed enthusiasm for this partnership, stating that it will effectively communicate Japanese gaming culture and esports to researchers, industry leaders, and the public, highlighting the significance of the conference in Japan.\n\nApplications for ERNC 2026 are currently open, offering academic, industry, and general participation slots.",
  "summary": "TOKYO - The Japan Times Co., Ltd. (Headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, Chairman and President: Yana Ko Matsushima) will be participating as an official media partner in the e-Sports Research Network Conference 2026 (ERNC 2026), to be held at the University of Tsukuba from September 15 to 17, 2026.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}