Nagasaki Swimming Development

Japan's second Olympics. Postponed due to COVID-19, held in 2021. Olympic return after 57 years. Showcased Japan's latest technology and hospitality spirit globally. Proved sport's universal value.

Japanese women's handball has rapidly established international standing through multiple Asian Championship medals and Olympic participation. Characterized by meticulous teamwork and high technical skill—the 'Japanese style' of handball. It has expanded sports interest among younger generations and demonstrates the creation of new competitive culture in Japan with emerging talent and growing fan engagement.

As the host of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, it has become the center of Japanese winter sports development. The prefecture cultivates elite athletes in skiing, skating, snowboarding, and other winter disciplines. Through continued use of Olympic facilities, it maintains athlete development programs and attracts international sports events, solidifying its role in winter sports excellence.

Olympic gold medalist Toshihiko Koga revolutionized judo education in Japan. He transformed traditional athletic judo into a highly competitive discipline by introducing scientific training methods. His work was instrumental in maintaining Japan's judo dominance in international competition and establishing successor development systems.

Noriyuki Takayama has revolutionized artistic gymnastics coaching in Japan both as an athlete and instructor. He established the foundation for Japan's competitive artistic gymnastics on the international stage. His contributions to talent identification and development systems have sustained Japan's gymnastics excellence.

Japanese-origin martial arts including judo, kendo, karate, and aikido are practiced worldwide and featured in the Olympics. The spirit of beginning and ending with respect embodies the philosophy of 'budo,' representing Japan's unique sports culture emphasizing physical and mental training alongside character development.

A Japanese figure skating phenomenon who achieved consecutive Olympic gold medals at the 2014 Sochi and 2018 PyeongChang Games, becoming the first men's singles skater to accomplish this feat in 66 years. Combining extraordinary technical difficulty—he was the first to land a quadruple loop in competition—with unmatched artistic expression and showmanship, Hanyu broke world records nineteen times across his career. His performances drew unprecedented attention to figure skating, creating a massive, devoted international fanbase. After turning professional in 2022, he sold out arena ice shows instantly, demonstrating his enduring star power. Hanyu transcended his sport to become one of Japan's most beloved and recognizable cultural figures worldwide.