| Watching and participating in various sports are | | | | Competing with baseball as the nations most |
| popular activities in Japan enjoyed by people of all | | | | popular sport is soccer, which made it's debut in |
| ages and walks of life. The origin of sports in | | | | 1993 with the introduction of J-League, a |
| Japan dates back to the twelfth century, when | | | | professional soccer league consisting of two |
| military nobility known as samurai introduced | | | | divisions, J1 and J2. Soccer had been played by |
| events such as kendo, (Japanese stick fencing) | | | | amateurs for many years in Japan, but it's appeal |
| kyudo, (archery) and jujustu, ( judo) to the | | | | gained momentum after Japan's national soccer |
| populous. These athletic games were eventually | | | | team participated in the world cup in France for |
| established as martial arts in the Edo period | | | | the first time in 1998. |
| (1600-1868), with the focus on mastering the | | | | Following closely behind soccer in regard to |
| mental aspects of each activity in hopes of | | | | popularity in Japan is Golf. The bubble economy |
| elevating the participant to a nobler, more | | | | boom of the 80's and the affluence which |
| transcendent level. These sports have been | | | | followed brought golf quickly into the forefront as |
| passed down from generation to generation, and | | | | one of the most popular games in the country. |
| still continue to flourish today. Sumo, which also | | | | Enjoyed in the past by only a privileged few, it |
| maintains a long history as a traditional martial | | | | soon grew in favor among the average |
| art, originated approximately 2,000 years ago | | | | “salary man”, who used it as a means of |
| from a ceremonial dance used to entertain the | | | | extending his business network by playing a round |
| Shinto gods, and is considered Japan's national | | | | or two on Sunday with potential clients. |
| sport. Even today the event includes ritualistic | | | | Memberships in prestigious clubs at the time were |
| elements derived from the Shinto religion, such | | | | in such demand that they cost anywhere from |
| as tossing salt to the ground at the start of each | | | | 100 to 400 million yen, and were sought after by |
| match as a means of symbolic purification. The | | | | large companies who were hoping to establish |
| rules of sumo are quite basic. Two wrestlers | | | | themselves in the ranks of those who were |
| called rikishi face off in a circular ring called a | | | | often closing more deals on the golf course than |
| dohyo, and the wrestler who first touches the | | | | in the conference room. Because of the increase |
| floor with any body part other than the soles of | | | | in the number of players and limited space |
| his feet, or is pushed out of the ring by his | | | | available, the prospect of playing golf for the |
| opponent loses. The fight itself is usually over | | | | average person in Japan is still an expensive one, |
| within seconds, but on rare occasions can last up | | | | the price averaging between 20,000 yen and up |
| to a minute or longer. Six tournaments are held | | | | for 18 holes, with caddy fees and lunch usually not |
| throughout the year, each one lasting 15 days. | | | | included. Another consideration when figuring the |
| Western sports were eventually introduced to | | | | cost of playing golf in Japan is that of “hole in |
| Japan with the arrival of the Meiji Restoration, | | | | one insurance”. Those who are fortunate (or |
| including baseball in 1872. Baseball has since | | | | unfortunate enough) to sink the elusive “hole |
| evolved into one of the country's most popular | | | | in one” celebrate the event by paying for all |
| spectator sports, with thousands of enthusiastic | | | | fellow member's fees that day, as well as |
| fans attending professional games held each | | | | bestowing expensive gifts on those present. |
| season in stadiums found in all major cities | | | | Consequently insurance was made available to |
| throughout the country. Games are also | | | | purchase to cover the residual expense for those |
| broadcast live on television several times a week, | | | | skillful enough to make this difficult shot. |
| featuring teams from both leagues, (the Central | | | | As well as enjoying golf, baseball, and soccer, the |
| and Pacific), which consist of six teams each. The | | | | Japanese due to an increase in free time available |
| last few years has also seen a rise in the number | | | | in recent years are now participating more than |
| of Japanese players who are currently playing | | | | ever before in an array of sport related activities |
| successfully in the American Major Leagues, and | | | | including jogging, weight training, long distant |
| whose games are covered extensively through | | | | running, calisthenics, aerobics, jazz dancing, softball, |
| the media in Japan. University and high school | | | | swimming, badminton, volleyball, cycling, tennis, |
| teams are also numerous, and the All Japan High | | | | table tennis, billiards, and bowling. High risk sports |
| School Baseball Championship held each summer | | | | such as scuba diving, hang gliding, and horseback |
| and televised nationwide is viewed by millions. | | | | riding are also gaining popularity. |