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27.1% of people (28.58 million) were Level 0 for those who did not participate in any sports or physical activities for the past year.
The Sasakawa Sports Foundation has been conducting the National Sports-Life Survey in Japan. We analyze the data on participation in sports and physical activity in terms of frequency, duration, and intensity. This article presents the levels of sports and physical activities in Japan.
27.1% of people (28.58 million) were Level 0 for those who did not participate in any sports or physical activities for the past year. 23.9% of people (25.20 million) were Level 1; 9.5% (10.02 million) were Level 2; 19.3% (20.35 million) were Level 3; and 20.2% (21.30 million) were Level 4 that is defined as the active sports participant group.
49.2% of males and 49.1% of females participated in sports and physical activities at least twice a week for the past year (Level 2 or greater).
On the other hand, the percentage of Level 0.those who did not participate in sports and physical activities at all for the past year.was 4.5 points higher for females (29.3%) than for males (24.8%).
The percentages of people who participated at least twice a week for the past year (Level 2 or greater) differed by age groups. The highest percentage of Level 2 or greater was 62.2% in the 70 and over age group, whereas the lowest was 39.5% in the 30-39 age group. The 18-19 age group also showed a higher rate of 61.3%. In other age groups, it ranged from 40 to 55%: 43.3% in the 20-29 age group, 46.3% in the 40-49 age group, 45.2% in the 50-59 age group, and 53.6% in the 60-69 age group.
In order to understand the levels of participation in sports and physical activities by Japanese, the Sasakawa Sports Foundation (SSF) has examined the statistical data gathered through the “SSF National Sports-Life Survey”, which has been conducted every other year since 1992. This survey measures the number of people aged 18 and over taking part in sports and physical activities across Japan in terms of frequencies, duration, and intensity. People take part in sports and physical activities in different ways, with many doing a range of activities including sports spectating and sports volunteering.
1） Population: People aged 18 and over who live in Japan
2） Sample size: 3,000
3） Number of locations: 300 (90 in metro areas; 122 in cities with a population of over 100,000 people; 64 in cities with a population of less than 100,000 people; 24 in towns and villages)
4） Extracting method: Quota method
June 10th - July 10th, 2022
Leaving method:
The survey officials visit respondents, distributing a paper-based questionnaire and having the respondents fill out the questionnaire within a certain period. Then, the survey officials return to the respondents to collect the questionnaire.
| 3,000 | Male : 1,503, Female : 1,497 | |
|---|---|---|
| 18・19 years old | 75 | Male : 41, Female : 34 |
| 20-29 | 374 | Male : 193, Female : 181 |
| 30-39 | 437 | Male : 223, Female : 214 |
| 40-49 | 582 | Male : 299, Female : 283 |
| 50-59 | 529 | Male : 267, Female : 262 |
| 60-69 | 489 | Male : 241, Female : 248 |
| 70 and over | 514 | Male : 239, Female : 275 |
This survey measures a wide range of sporting activities including fitness activities, Strolling/Walking/Cycling for leisure or travel and dance.The school PE classes were excluded whilst sports club activities at schools and workplaces were included.
Estimated sports participants are calculated by applying the rate of regular sports and physical activities participation over the past year to the total population of those 18 and over (105,448,713 people in Japan).
In this survey, the participation in sports and physical activities are divided into the following levels; “Level 0” for those who did not participate in any sports or physical activities for the past year; “Level 1” for those who participated at least once during the year, but less than twice a week; “Level 2” for those who participated at least twice a week; “Level 3” for those who participated at least twice a week with a duration of “more than 30 minutes”; and “Level 4” for those who participated at least twice a week, duration of “more than 30 minutes”, and with more than moderate intensity.
Upon request, we will provide raw data (including cross-tabulation results, text in Japanese only) from every National Sports-Life Survey taken to date. Interested parties should contact the SSF through the link below.
