The 7 Most Popular Sports in Japan and How Long They Have Been Played

Source：AZ Animals Time：January 3, 2024

Japan is a beautiful place. It is quiet and pristine, with plenty of things to explore. There are also plenty of sports that Japan and the people who live there enjoy. Many superstars have come out of Japan, such as Shohei Ohtani.

There are seven sports that Japan loves. Ultimately, they are the sports that hold their hearts. The seven most popular sports in Japan have also had a rich history throughout time, and many great moments have happened throughout the years. We’re going to explore them.

7. Basketball

The 7 Most Popular Sports in Japan and How Long They Have Been Played — Basketball has been in Japan almost as long as it has been in the United States, starting around 1902.
©Brocreative/Shutterstock.com

Japan has produced some solid basketball players who have made it to the NBA, including Rui Hachimura, a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Japan has had a good experience with basketball. According to Statista, approximately 8.3 million people watched basketball. The men’s national team has played since 1936. However, success has not been great. They won the FIBA Asia Cup in 1965 and 1971 and have not won since. Japan also has never won a medal at the Olympic Games. Still, the sport continues to thrive and is one of the most popular sports in Japan.

6. Boxing

The Japanese boxing scene has grown over the years, as there have been several prize fights that have drawn at least 17 million viewers.

The people of Japan did not formally have any boxing bouts until 1877. Moreover, they did not know much about sport until 1854, when an American sailor started having bouts with his fellow soldiers. Despite not seeing much recognition from the United States, Japanese boxing is popular in its own country. It is one of the most popular sports in Japan and continues to grow.

5. Golf

Japanese people continue to showcase their love for golf with their support of Naoya “The Monster” Inoue.

People love golf. The Japanese people spend all day playing it. In fact, people playing on a course will usually take a one-hour break in between the nines. While people love to associate golf with the United States and the United Kingdom, it is also gaining steam in Japan. Naoya “The Monster” Inoue is the most popular and talented Japanese boxer, and the Boxing Writers Association of America named him the second-best boxer in the world.

4. Tennis

Japanese fans will support tennis matches and are starting to really appreciate the sport.

The first tennis courts allegedly originated at Yokohama’s Yamate Park in 1878. Since then, tennis has slowly become one of the most popular sports in Japan. You will see tennis in most schools in Japan today. The Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championship averaged about 18 million viewers over the past year. Ultimately, it remains one of the most popular sports in Japan.

3. Football/Soccer

The Japan Football Association started in 1921, and the Japanese have played the sport since then.

Did you watch the Men’s World Cup in 2022? If you did, you may have noticed that the Japanese Men’s National Team shocked the world by upsetting Germany in the preliminary rounds. That was only the beginning. Then, they eliminated Spain to move on to the Round of 16.

While they lost in the penalty kick stage to Croatia, the World Cup run reinvigorated a country that loves their football. According to FIFA, about 36 million people watched Japan face off against Croatia in the Group Stage match. The Japanese have loved football since 1921. Now, they have reasons to love it even more.

2. Sumo Wrestling

People love to watch sumo wrestling to see who will win the power struggle.

Many people associate sumo wrestling with Japanese culture, and it’s true. It is the oldest sport the Japanese have played and watched, having been around since the 700s, according to Japanese history. It is still one of the most popular sports in Japan today, as there are annual tournaments at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. While it did experience a decline a few decades ago, it has risen over the years and is still one of the most cherished sports in the country.

1. Baseball

Japanese fans have turned out to support Shohei Ohtani’s play, and the sport has continued to grow in popularity for a sport that has been around since 1872.

If you watched Major League Baseball at all last season, then you saw Ohtani and everything he did. Ohtani finished the season with a batting average of .304 with 44 home runs and 95 RBIs. Additionally, he was 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA through 23 starts before suffering a season-ending injury. Ohtani has made Japan visible in the baseball world. Moreover, he is the most popular player in the game today and has the most hype, especially after signing a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason. Baseball is now the most popular sport in Japan, and Ohtani is a significant reason for that.