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Japan Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Today
Top Japanese athletes inspire diversified youth sports programs
Former Japan men's football defender Atsuto Uchida (back, C) serves as an instructor during a multisport event at Tokyo's National Stadium on June 21, 2025. Some of Japan's most successful athletes are inspiring a push for children to broaden their horizons and experience a range of sports, rather than specializing in one from an early age. While Japanese youth sports have traditionally pushed youngsters toward a single pursuit, Los Angeles Dodgers' superstar Shohei Ohtani and women's Olympic speed skating gold medalist Miho Takagi are among the top-level athletes who played multiple sports at youth level. Ohtani dabbled in badminton, a sport his mother played at national level, while Takagi was known for her football talent before focusing on the rink. Olympic women's javelin gold medalist Haruka Kitaguchi, meanwhile, competed at national level both in swimming and badminton before taking up her current sport in high school. Since her Summer Games triumph in Paris last year, she has even tested herself in new fields in judo and artistic gymnastics. "I'm looking for things I can make use of in javelin by doing many sports," the 27-year-old said. "Combining a little stimulus from various sports produces a positive impact." A multisport event held in late June at Tokyo's National Stadium involved some 400 children in their first to third year at elementary school, who enjoyed 30 minutes each of football, baseball, rugby and athletics. "I've never tried rugby before, but I found it fun," a third-year boy said. Instructors included Atsuto Uchida, a former Japan defender in men's football, while baseball legend Sadaharu Oh, whose 868 home runs is a record in Nippon Professional Baseball, also took part in the activities. "Widening these circles will help children feel they want to do more physical activities," said the 85-year-old Oh, who revealed he took part in table tennis and shot-put competitions when he was young. On top of enhancing the youngsters' physical abilities and coordination, it is also hoped that the new movement will enlarge the overall sporting population amid the declining birthrate. The Japan Sport Council has outsourced a multisport support program to the University of Tsukuba, while NPB and J-League clubs have begun offering related classes and events in a breakthrough move in the country where inter-sports activities have been rare. "The time has come to change our fundamental view and set a diversified sense of values on sports, like abroad," said Takashi Oyama, a Tsukuba professor specializing in multisport activities. "Experiencing many things, and making one's own choices and decisions, should bring about a sense of satisfaction and happiness." © KYODO
Kyodo News
4 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Top Japanese athletes inspire diversified youth sports programs
TOKYO - Some of Japan's most successful athletes are inspiring a push for children to broaden their horizons and experience a range of sports, rather than specializing in one from an early age. While Japanese youth sports have traditionally pushed youngsters toward a single pursuit, Los Angeles Dodgers' superstar Shohei Ohtani and women's Olympic speed skating gold medalist Miho Takagi are among the top-level athletes who played multiple sports at youth level. Ohtani dabbled in badminton, a sport his mother played at national level, while Takagi was known for her football talent before focusing on the rink. Olympic women's javelin gold medalist Haruka Kitaguchi, meanwhile, competed at national level both in swimming and badminton before taking up her current sport in high school. Since her Summer Games triumph in Paris last year, she has even tested herself in new fields in judo and artistic gymnastics. "I'm looking for things I can make use of in javelin by doing many sports," the 27-year-old said. "Combining a little stimulus from various sports produces a positive impact." A multisport event held in late June at Tokyo's National Stadium involved some 400 children in their first to third year at elementary school, who enjoyed 30 minutes each of football, baseball, rugby and athletics. "I've never tried rugby before, but I found it fun," a third-year boy said. Instructors included Atsuto Uchida, a former Japan defender in men's football, while baseball legend Sadaharu Oh, whose 868 home runs is a record in Nippon Professional Baseball, also took part in the activities. "Widening these circles will help children feel they want to do more physical activities," said the 85-year-old Oh, who revealed he took part in table tennis and shot-put competitions when he was young. On top of enhancing the youngsters' physical abilities and coordination, it is also hoped that the new movement will enlarge the overall sporting population amid the declining birthrate. The Japan Sport Council has outsourced a multisport support program to the University of Tsukuba, while NPB and J-League clubs have begun offering related classes and events in a breakthrough move in the country where inter-sports activities have been rare. "The time has come to change our fundamental view and set a diversified sense of values on sports, like abroad," said Takashi Oyama, a Tsukuba professor specializing in multisport activities. "Experiencing many things, and making one's own choices and decisions, should bring about a sense of satisfaction and happiness."
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
SAI official awarded Japan's MEXT Scholarship
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Sachin K, Deputy Director at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and currently serving as Incharge of the National Boxing Academy in Rohtak, has been awarded the prestigious MEXT Scholarship (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) by the Government of Japan. Under the University Recommendation category, Sachin will pursue a two-year Master's Program in Sport and Olympic Studies at the globally acclaimed University of Tsukuba, beginning in September 2025. A native of Shivamogga district in Karnataka, Sachin joins an elite group of Indian sports administrators who have previously received this honour, including Manikant, Regional Centre Director, SAI Gandhinagar, and Dhandapani, Director, SAI LNCPE, Thiruvananthapuram. With over eight years at SAI, Sachin has led key initiatives like the Khelo India Talent Development Scheme, focusing on talent identification and academy support. He served on the General Technical Committee for the Khelo India Games, including the Winter Games. As Senior Development Officer for TOPS, he managed elite athlete support for stars like Neeraj Chopra and Bajrang Punia, coordinating with NSFs on training and exposure. He also served as secretariat for a ministerial committee reviewing India's Tokyo 2020 Olympic preparations. 'I am honoured to receive the MEXT Scholarship. This academic opportunity will deepen my understanding of international sports systems and Olympic governance, allowing me to contribute even more effectively to the development of Indian sports,' said Sachin. The University of Tsukuba is globally recognised for its excellence in sport and Olympic studies, offering specialised training in sport policy, Olympic history, international collaboration, and athlete development. Sachin's selection highlights India's growing presence in global sports administration and reaffirms SAI's commitment to building internationally trained professionals within its ranks. (ANI)
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers discover incredible new method to squeeze water out of crystals: 'Presents a new approach'
Scientists in Japan are excited about a new process that can deliver clean water. In a study published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, University of Tsukuba researchers discussed a new water production possibility involving the application of pressure to copper-chromium Prussian blue analog, a kind of crystalline compound. Since the material is full of pores, the scientists discovered that applying pressure — much like you would a wet sponge — can expel the water retained inside. To exert pressure, the researchers experimented with infrared spectroscopy, X-ray absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy in order to alter the electrical state of the water and the copper within the crystal. Due to the resulting pressure, the crystalline pores became hydrophobic, thereby making them capable of releasing stored water. According to the study, 1 kilogram of the crystal could yield about 240 grams of water in the form of droplets. "[The research] presents a new approach to water production, which is an important step towards the further development of the water environmental improvement technology," the team explained. With planetary temperatures on the rise, water pollution at an all-time high, and water shortages on the horizon for the coming decades, developing new means to source water is becoming increasingly essential, both for human civilizations and for the environment as a whole. An estimated 4.4 billion individuals now lack adequate access to safe drinking water across 135 low- and middle-income nations, based on a 2024 report published in the journal Science. Implementing new potable water generation options can help ensure the health and safety of entire populations who may be struggling in more arid or water-deficient environments, in addition to cutting down on water bills for consumers everywhere. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The University detailed that the achievement can lead to the "advancement of pressure-induced onsite water production technologies" to use in harsh environments, and offer a new insight into water resource processes. Meanwhile, circulating water back into nature can work wonders for our planetary health, helping to nurture ecosystems and boost biodiversity. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yomiuri Shimbun
10-06-2025
- Science
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Research Team to Set Up Country's 1st Radio Telescope in Antarctica; Test Observations of Milky Way Galaxy to Begin in FY26
The Yomiuri Shimbun A small radio telescope developed by a team from the University of Tsukuba and others entities A small radio telescope that is 30 centimeters in diameter will be set up in Antarctica by a team from the University of Tsukuba and other entities. The team will begin conducting test observations next fiscal year. It will be the first time that a Japanese radio telescope will be installed on the continent. A radio telescope captures radio waves from space in order to observe areas of the universe that are invisible in visible light. The team also plans to build an international observation base equipped with a large radio telescope in Antarctica, where the clear air provides excellent observation conditions. The team is led by the University of Tsukuba and includes researchers from the National Institute of Polar Research and Hokkaido University. The radio telescope is set to be located about 1,000 kilometers inland from Japan's Showa Station on the coast of Antarctica. The Japanese observation team already installed the telescope mount and power generation equipment in fiscal 2024. The telescope will be transported to Antarctica by the icebreaker Shirase this fiscal year. The radio telescope will be set up as high as 3,800 meters above sea level. As the average temperature can be as low as minus 50 C, the air contains virtually no water vapor, which can interfere with radio waves from space. It is usually sunny and clear most of the time in that area, making it an optimal location for conducting observations. However, as the maximum temperature is only minus 20 C in the summer, the telescope's electronics might be affected. The team plans to cover the telescope with insulation material and install a heater inside. The team will conduct test observations of the Milky Way Galaxy, where Earth is located, starting in fiscal 2026 to determine the distribution of gases, as stars are formed when gases clump together. The United States is currently operating a large radio telescope, which is 10 meters in diameter, in Antarctica, but it is located at the pole where the sky is generally not clear, resulting in poor observation conditions. The team from the University of Tsukuba will refine observation techniques for low-temperature environments and plans to build an observation base – equipped with a large telescope that will be 12 meters in diameter – in the future. The team aims to have researchers from all over the world stay at the base and observe galaxies that have yet to be discovered. 'We would like to gain more observation experience to realize an international observation base,' said Nario Kuno, professor of radio astronomy at the University of Tsukuba.
