ABSTRACT
Mass sport development in Japan can broadly be understood in relation to two policy objectives set by two different ministries with an interest in the policy area, namely, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (hereafter MEXT) and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (hereafter MHLW). While MEXT is principally in charge of overall policy for sport and school sport/physical education (PE), the area of concern for MHLW policy is around health, welfare and the well-being of citizens, which embrace the areas of mass participation in physical activities and exercises.
