🤝Partnership with Rec Kouhatsu to Support Junior Tennis
Japan’s youth sports environment is undergoing major shifts—regionalization of school sports, declining birthrates, and increasing disparities in children’s participation. As someone who grew up fully immersed in sports, I feel a strong responsibility to help ensure a positive future for the next generation. Many private sports schools share this concern and continue working hard to provide children with opportunities to enjoy movement and develop a lasting connection to sport. Beginning January 2026, I am pleased to support junior tennis development with Rec Kouhatsu Co., Ltd., a leading operator of indoor tennis schools in the Tokyo metropolitan area and the organization behind Team Rec. We share a common commitment to strengthening […]
Japan Tennis Association Certified Coach Level 4
I recently spoke in the Management course on “The Current Situation of Junior High School Club Activities.” Many participants were Coach Level 4 candidates with experience guiding high‑level players, so junior high school club activities—deeply connected to the school education system—may have felt unfamiliar. Unlike competitive player development, school-based club activities focus on participation and grassroots growth. I hope the session offered a clearer picture of this educational role, as well as the national shift toward community-based club activities that will take place over six years starting in 2026. Each community will move forward differently, with no single correct model. Even so, I truly hope that dedicated professional coaches like […]
Community Engagement by the Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Tennis Team
Members of the Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Tennis Team—who also compete as a corporate team—recently held a training session for the boys’ tennis team at Narusedai Junior High School in Machida. We had the privilege of supporting this initiative. Despite working full-time on weekdays, the Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance players devote their weekends to training as a corporate team. Wanting to give back to the city of Machida, where their practice courts are located, they explored ways to support local schools—particularly teachers who manage large club teams while juggling many responsibilities. From this shared intention, the idea for this training session took shape. As weekend club activities transition to community-based models tailored […]
TALK LIVE with Shingo KUNIEDA x Eddie JONES
The dialogue event hosted by the Human Performance and Science Academy (HPSA) on Saturday, January 10, concluded successfully. I had the honor of serving as the moderator for a conversation between two globally renowned figures: Mr. Shingo Kunieda, former professional wheelchair tennis player, and Mr. Eddie Jones, Head Coach of the Japan National Rugby Team. Under the theme “Taking on Challenges on the Global Stage,” the discussion unfolded in a warm and engaging atmosphere. Mr. Shingo Kunieda, who significantly elevated the recognition of wheelchair tennis in Japan, spoke with sincerity and clarity, expressing his thoughts in a way that deeply resonated with the audience. Now increasingly involved in coaching after […]
Season’s Greetings from Future Sports Consulting
In Tokyo, December 24th—Christmas Eve—has recently been known as the day with the highest chance of sunshine. Yet this year, even Christmas arrived under a cloudy sky. As I reflect on 2025, the greatest highlight for me was undoubtedly the launch of Future Sports Consulting. With the support of so many people, we have been able to reach the end of this year and take our first steps forward. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has encouraged and supported us. Thank you very much. Even as adults, we continue to face moments of uncertainty. Making decisions requires courage, and worries and doubts never fully disappear. No matter how our […]
Follow-up Junior Coaching Workshop with Nikke Wellness (Chubu & Kanto Regions)
Building on the September session, we were once again given the opportunity to conduct workshops in Chubu and Kanto, focusing on junior coaching with Nikke Wellness. One of the joys of these workshops is meeting graduates who are now thriving in their respective fields. This time too, we spent truly meaningful hours together. Our sincere thanks go not only to all participants but also to those who worked hard behind the scenes to prepare for the sessions. As school education continues to evolve, reforms in extracurricular activities are gradually progressing, and private school programs are also undergoing change. For parents, entrusting children to adults requires trustworthiness above all—whether in the […]
🍂From the Ginkgo Avenue to Tokyo’s Evolving Legacy
The crowds along the Ginkgo Avenue in Gaienmae were overflowing with inbound visitors this season. Back in my university days, I would come here almost every year with close friends. For us, the end of the golden leaves always signaled the arrival of winter. Yet now, the air feels much warmer than it used to. Another striking difference from those days is, of course, the presence of smartphones. Many young women can be seen eagerly taking photos in search of the perfect “Instagrammable” shot. To me, it feels as though they are photographing with all their might—less about capturing nature as it is, and more about how beautifully it can […]
FSC Report: Ayase City Community Club Instructor Training Seminar
This year, FSC was honored to once again serve as lecturers for the Ayase City Community Club Instructor Training Seminar. Over two intensive days, many future leaders joined to prepare for guiding junior high school students as club activities transition from school-based to community-based models. Despite the long hours, participants engaged with great enthusiasm, which was truly inspiring. The shift of club activities into communities is a pressing social issue, with challenges ranging from instructor availability to parental burdens and student opportunities. Municipalities are beginning to separate weekend activities from schools, while exploring new formats for weekday participation. At FSC, we continue to contribute steadily to these changes. Junior high […]
From Shimo-Takaido to Nihon University—nostalgia meets transformation!
Shimo-Takaido Station has completely transformed—I was amazed! The cozy izakayas where we once ate, drank, and talked for hours with friends decades ago are gone, replaced by the progress of redevelopment. Some of you may remember the legendary izakaya Suzume no Oyado. A thick wooden beam hung above the tables, and when you tapped it—marked with the words “Flying right over!”—a staff member would rush over with a cheerful shout: “Yes! With pleasure!!” That lively exchange was unforgettable. Listening to Kento Kochii’s song brought back memories of Suzume no Oyado—a true throwback for those of us who grew up in the spirited Showa era. Today, ordering is done via QR […]
A Special Reunion with Coach Ogura – A True Mentor and Legend
We recently had the honor of spending time with Coach Ogura, the former head coach of Nihon University Third High School’s baseball team—a man we deeply admire and continue to learn from. In his twenties, he led Kanto Daiichi High School to the Koshien tournament, and later devoted himself fully to teaching, stepping away from coaching for a time. For 26 years, he guided the baseball team at Nichidai San, becoming one of the most respected figures in high school baseball. His achievements speak for themselves. What truly sets Coach Ogura apart is his humility and warmth. No matter how many championships he’s won or how many professional players he’s […]