Sport participation rate in Japan 2023, by type of activity

In a survey conducted in November 2023 in Japan, around 61 percent of respondents stated that they had walked for physical exercise purposes. Walking was the most prevalent activity engaged in as a physical exercise, followed by gymnastics (calisthenics), and working out. According to the survey data, the majority of respondents engaged in individual sports that are free to do, such as walking and gymnastics. 

 Who participates in sports?

Sport is widely practiced in Japan. Physical education classes in educational institutions are compulsory, and many children and adolescents choose to partake in after-school sports clubs. Adult sports participation exceeds 50 percent in all age groups, with young adults and older generations showing higher participation rates, while cohorts in the middle of the age spectrum had the lowest participation rates. Men’s sports participation is slightly higher than women’s sports participation rate.  

 Attitude towards exercise and sports 

The relationship of young Japanese with sports is healthy, as the majority of teenagers state that they like doing sports and exercise at least to some extent. This positive attitude towards sports also applies to adults, with the majority stating that sports are important to them, at least to some extent. However, not everybody is into sports, as can be seen in the leading reasons for not doing sports in Japan.