2016 Volume 24 Issue 1 Pages 63-78
Japan’s main sports policy is the “Comprehensive Community Sports Club”. The government advocates this sports policy with the aim that sports clubs play a pivotal role for the “new public” in the community. The sports policy promotes support for the development and application of sports in local communities. Issues arise between community sports clubs and local community organizations nationwide because of their differing ideas and interests. Local community organizations’ focus is on maintaining the orderliness and welfare of the local community.Sports clubs create conflict with local community organizations because of their sole focus on promoting sports.
The aim of this paper is to describe the situation in local community organizations and community sports clubs in the Namekawa District of Hitachi City. Hitachi is known for pioneering the electronics industry. A great decline in Hitachi City’s population and in its economic growth is occurring at the moment. The “comprehensive community sports club” in Namekawa is adapting to resolve the issues of the community. The club has shifted its focus and lessened its support for sports promotion in the city. The local community organization in Namekawa modified the “comprehensive community sports club” as an extension of its community organization.
The modification of the function of “comprehensive community sports clubs” is happening in different cities. Local community organizations are utilizing sports clubs for different contexts which is an improper implementation of the said policy.
