Bulletin of Institute of Sports and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University
Online ISSN : 2759-5536
Challenges Related to the Legal Incorporation of Sports Organizations at the Prefectural Level
Naoki Okamoto
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RESEARCH REPORT / TECHNICAL REPORT FREE ACCESS

2025 Volume 2 Pages 49-57

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the current status of legally incorporated sports organizations and to identify challenges for their future development. A nationwide survey was conducted targeting 2,436 organizations affiliated with prefectural sports associations. The results revealed that only 18.4% of these organizations had obtained legal personality. Tokyo had the highest percentage of legally incorporated organizations at 50.0%, followed by Kanagawa and Aichi at 31.5%. In contrast, Akita recorded the lowest percentage at 7.0%, followed by Miyazaki at 8.7%. The sports environment involves diverse stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, tournament staff, fans, local governments (e.g., stadiums), media, sponsors, and others, each with their own interests that may sometimes compete. To navigate these complexities and fulfill their social responsibilities, local sports associations—whether professional or amateur—must operate with transparency. This study underscores the critical role of prefectural sports associations in promoting the incorporation of local sports organizations to strengthen their governance and accountability.
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© 2025 Institute of Advanced Research for Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University
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