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 […]
Live at the Japan National Rugby Match 🏉🇯🇵 A Night to Remember at the New National Stadium!
I’ve cheered on university and corporate teams many times before, often supporting friends on the field. But this was my very first time attending a Japan national team match—and what an unforgettable experience it was! Thanks to the generous invitation from Dr. Kaori Araki, the current mental coach for the national team, I had the privilege of witnessing this historic game, held for the first time at the newly renovated National Stadium. Despite the cold drizzle, the stadium’s roof kept spectators warm and dry. The players, however, had to battle slippery conditions—making their performance all the more impressive. Over 40,000 fans filled the stadium, their voices echoing like thunder with […]
🏃♂️ Autumn Sports Festivals: A Return to Tradition
In recent years, many schools had shifted their sports festivals to spring, but we’re now seeing a return to autumn events. While each school has its own reasons, the most common concern is the intense heat. Before the body has time to acclimate to warmer temperatures, the risk of heatstroke is significantly higher—especially in May and June when students are not yet accustomed to the heat. We always emphasize this point during our training sessions and lectures: heatstroke can be life-threatening if not properly managed. This season, we had the pleasure of attending an autumn sports festival for the first time in a while. Weather plays a major role in […]
🎾 Kinoshita Japan Open Returns to Ariake—Now More Welcoming Than Ever!
The summer heat may still linger, but the atmosphere at Ariake is electric—the Kinoshita Japan Open, Japan’s only ATP tournament, is in full swing. Each year, this event draws tennis fans from across the country, and this time, excitement is especially high with Carlos Alcaraz joining the lineup. Young fans have been gathering around the practice courts, hoping to catch a glimpse of their hero. We’re also happy to see the event return to its more open format: Public viewing areas and official merchandise shops are now accessible to everyone, even without a ticket. It’s a refreshing shift that brings back the inclusive, vibrant spirit of past tournaments. Personally, we […]
Junior Coaching Seminar at Nikke Tennis Dome, Chubu and Kanto
Over the past few sessions, we’ve had the opportunity to conduct junior training programs in both the Chubu and Kanto regions. With Japan’s declining birthrate and the increasing variety of extracurricular options, junior enrollment in private tennis schools has become more challenging compared to the surge we saw during the 2014 Nishikori boom. This trend is also reflected in the decreasing participation in junior high school club activities. While there’s no single reason behind this shift, private tennis schools are working hard to remain a chosen destination for young athletes. As school education undergoes reform and club activities enter a transitional phase, it’s clear that coaches and instructors must evolve […]
🏟️ San-ko’s Inspiring Summer at Koshien
Nihon University Third High School (San-ko), representing West Tokyo, captivated fans with their impressive run to the Koshien finals. As someone with personal ties to the school and its coach, this summer’s journey was deeply moving. The experience also highlighted how social media has transformed the way we engage with high school baseball—bringing both praise and criticism in real time. While opinions varied, the passion surrounding Koshien remains as strong as ever. Though September marks a new school term, the echoes of this summer’s excitement still linger. Photos will be shared on social media soon!
Kawasaki City Board of Education’s
Club Activity Instructor Training We recently had the honor of joining the Club Activity Instructor Training hosted by the Kawasaki City Board of Education as a guest speaker. The participants included a wide range of instructors—from energetic young leaders under 20 to seasoned veterans in their 60s and beyond. For the younger instructors, we hope the session offered encouragement and confidence as they step into their roles. And for the experienced instructors, many of whom have long supported school education and club activities, we trust the training provided an opportunity to revisit the evolving needs of today’s extracurricular programs. As local governments explore various models—such as regional deployment and hub-school […]
As published in the Nikkei, Japan’s leading business daily
Exploring Community-Based School Sports: Interview with Sports Journalist Akira Uchida We had the pleasure of being interviewed by renowned sports writer Akira Uchida about the growing shift toward community-led school sports programs. What began as a move to improve teachers’ work-life balance has become a major social issue. Ms. Uchida expertly highlights the heart of the matter—ensuring children have equal access to opportunities. As expected from a pro, the article is sharp, concise, and incredibly easy to understand. While it’s a paid article, you can read one piece per month for free with simple registration. We highly recommend checking it out! https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGKKZO89756780S5A700C2US0000
Victory Over Wales!
An Electrifying and Emotional Match – A Promising Start to Our Second Year! It’s been a while since we’ve felt such excitement and emotion from a game—this one truly moved us, even through the TV screen! Photos sent by a friend who attended the match in person captured the electric atmosphere and passion of the crowd. As we kick off the second year of our journey, it feels like FSC Special Ambassador Eddie Jones’ vision is steadily coming to life. Mental performance coach Kaori Araki, another strong supporter of FSC, also shared her joy and reflections on social media. 👉 Click here to read her post We hope for another […]
Shintaro Mochizuki Advances to the Wimbledon Main Draw!
Congratulations to Shintaro Mochizuki, the 2019 Wimbledon Junior Champion, who has successfully battled through the qualifiers to secure his spot in the main draw! We remember spotting him years ago at IMG Academy—back then still a boy with great potential. Now, he has grown into a strong and determined athlete, supported all the while by a mentor who has guided him since his early days. Journalist Akatsuki Uchida captures this journey beautifully in an article that resonates deeply from a coach’s perspective. https://thedigestweb.com/tennis/detail/id=98601 Meeting the right coach at the right time is not always in our control—timing, luck, and connection all play a part. But for athletes, their support team […]