Guest Talk by JOC President Seiko Hashimoto! "Sportsmanship Day 2026" to be Held (July 11)

The Japan Sportsmanship Association (JSA) (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and Chairman: Takahiro Nakamura) will hold "Sportsmanship Day 2026" on July 11, 2026 (Saturday) as part of its activities to promote and raise awareness of proper "sportsmanship."

On the day, we will feature a "Special Guest Talk" with Seiko Hashimoto, President of the Japanese Olympic Committee, "Case Study Presentations" by certified sportsmanship coaches, and the announcement of the "Japan Sportsmanship Awards 2026" to honor individuals and organizations who have demonstrated good sportsmanship and behavior as athletes.

Through this event, we aim to clearly convey the significance of behaving as a good sport and demonstrating good sportsmanship. To broaden understanding of sportsmanship among as many people as possible, this event will be held in a hy-flex format, with both in-person and online participation options. Please feel free to join us.

Details here

How to Participate, Guest Profiles, and Award Nominations

"Sportsmanship Day 2026" Event Overview

Date and Time: July 11, 2026 (Saturday) 15:20 - 18:00 (Reception starts at 15:00)

Format: Hy-flex [In-person] Onward Park Building 10F (3-10-5 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) * HR Solutions Inc. Seminar Room

[Online Viewing] Zoom Webinar

Participation Fee: In-person... 3,300 yen Zoom broadcast (online viewing)... Free

Organizer: Japan Sportsmanship Association

Program Details *Titles omitted

Opening

Presenter: Takahiro Nakamura (Representative Director and Chairman, Japan Sportsmanship Association)

Sportsmanship Coach Case Study Presentations

Speakers: Shogo Xie (Manager, Kirinan Pony / Open House Group Co., Ltd.)

Takashi Inoue (Director, Nagomi Hiyori Seitaiin / Parent-Child Sportsmanship Instructor)

Ko Takemura (Former Japan National Swimming Team Member / Coach, Japan Paralympic National Team)

Special Guest Talk

Guest: Seiko Hashimoto (President, The Japanese Olympic Committee)

Moderator: Takahiro Nakamura (Representative Director and Chairman, Japan Sportsmanship Association)

Announcement and Awards Ceremony for "Japan Sportsmanship Awards 2026"

Application URL

https://sportsmanshipday2025.peatix.com/

* If you wish to participate via online viewing (Zoom Webinar), you will receive the URL via email after your application is accepted.

Guest Profile

Seiko Hashimoto Born October 5, 1964, in Hokkaido. After graduating from Komazawa University Tomakomai High School, she joined Fuji Kyuko in 1983. As a speed skater, she made her Olympic debut at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics and won a bronze medal at the 1992 Albertville Olympics. She also competed in cycling at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, participating in a total of seven Olympic Games across summer and winter.

She was first elected to the House of Councillors in 1995. She has served as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister in charge of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Minister of State for Gender Equality. In the sports world, she has contributed to the development of Japanese sports as Vice President of the Japanese Olympic Committee, President of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and President of the Japan Cycling Federation. She became President of the Japanese Olympic Committee in 2025 and is leading Japanese sports.

Materials

About the Sportsmanship Awards

Since 2020, JSA has established the "Japan Sportsmanship Awards" to recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated good sportsmanship. By highlighting such cases, not just wins and losses, we hope to promote the spread and awareness of sportsmanship, and to more clearly convey the significance and value of being a "sportsman" as an attitude towards sports and a goal for sports enthusiasts.

https://sportsmanship.jpn.com/award/

≪Japan Sportsmanship Awards 2026 Nominees≫ From the Japanese sports world, the most impressive individual or group demonstrating sportsmanship, represented by respect, courage, and determination, will be awarded the "Grand Prize," and the most impressive individual or group targeting younger generations such as students will be awarded the "Young Generation Award."

<Grand Prize Nominees>

● Tsuyoshi Shinjo (Baseball)

"The sportsmanship of an entertainer who creates excitement together with opponents."

● Yutaka Take (Horse Racing)

"The dignity of a 'legend' who opens up the future of sports beyond the pursuit of victory."

● Tokyo Sports Promotion Department (Deaflympics)

"Creation of the 'Sign-Yell'応援 style, where everyone can convey their thoughts to athletes together."

● Tomokazu Harimoto (Table Tennis)

"Overcoming adversity with respect. The dignity and unyielding determination of an ace shown in a completely hostile environment."

● Emi Fukudome (Volleyball)

"'Lifelong friends' once the whistle blows. Bonds and respect that transcend borders."

● Saiki Fujita (Golf)

"A smile of 'respect' for the winner shown after a fierce battle that exceeded limits."

● Ryuji Miura (Athletics)

"The dignity of a top athlete accepting an accident."

● Asami Yoshida (Basketball)

"Returning to the court after despair. The determination to share 'the courage to live.'"

<Young Generation Award Nominees>

● Japan National U-17 Football Team (Football)

"Good teammates even off the pitch, respect shared across borders."

● Steven Mutei, Tsuneyoshi Nonaka, Victor Kimtai (Athletics)

"The spirit of 'competing together' shown by rivals acknowledging each other at the Izumo Ekiden."

● Kotaro Tsunematsu: Keio University Baseball Club (Baseball)

"A harsh dream over promised stability. The ultimate 'determination' shown by a 22-year-old."

● Kuko Matsushima (Table Tennis)

"Not making excuses for adversity. The intellectual determination shown by an 18-year-old in a super hostile environment."

● Nozomi Yamada: Keio High School Baseball Club Captain (Baseball)

"For the best tournament. An exceptional 'proposal-based' athlete's oath that changed the norms of high school baseball."

● Yodai Yoshikawa: Sendai Ikuei High School Baseball Club (Baseball)

"Immediately after tears, to the opponent with whom they fought a fierce battle, pride shown after a heroic effort."

About the Japan Sportsmanship Association

The Japan Sportsmanship Association strives to foster better people and build a better society through the promotion, awareness, and advancement of sportsmanship.

Sports are Game – that is the fundamental premise, that sports are play.

Giving one's all to enjoy a "Good game" is the essence of sports.

Respect for players (opponents and teammates), rules, and referees.

Courage to make decisions, take action, and challenge oneself without fear of difficulties or crises.

Determination to endure difficult trials to aim for victory and to enjoy oneself by giving one's all.

A "Good game" can only be realized when all of these are present.

A "sportsman" is a person who understands these essential values of sports and has the determination to achieve a "Good game." And "sportsmanship" is the "mindset of striving to achieve a Good game" required of a sportsman.

We are currently facing various social problems. Many of these problems are related to people.

Education is the only way to solve these human problems.

Sports have developed as a soft skill to nurture talent that responds to societal demands.

Now is the time to re-examine the inherent value of sports. By understanding sportsmanship and achieving its more practical dissemination, we aim to foster better people and build a better society. This is our belief.

https://sportsmanship.jpn.com

About Sportsmanship Coaches

As JSA, we have been holding qualification training courses since 2020 and certifying participants as sportsmanship coaches. By June 2026, we will have conducted 30 training sessions, with over 580 individuals obtaining the qualification. They are all practicing sportsmanship in sports settings and business environments.

https://sportsmanship.jpn.com/academy/#title01