For this research, it was decided to carry out a fact-finding survey in order to clarify the current status of esports activities at high schools in Japan, as well as issues for establishing esports clubs, and to examine measures for resolving those issues. The subjects were teachers acting as chief club advisors at 319 schools affiliated with the North America Scholastic Esports Federation JAPAN (NASEF JAPAN). Responses were collected from 103 schools in 33 prefectures (32.3% of affiliated schools), and the final number of valid responses was 84 (81.6%). The survey was conducted via a web questionnaire, with a mixed format combining multiple-choice and free-comment answers. The period of the survey was May 9 to May 18, 2022. The results showed that issues for establishing esports club activities at high schools in Japan vary depending on school type and size, and whether there are in-class activities. There were also found to be differences in and connections with competitive level depending on whether there are club guidelines. There has been some criticism of engaging in esports activities as part of school education, but these activities can likely serve as one solution for transforming those negative attitudes. This is because the activities aim to foster sportsmanship, improve non-cognitive skills, promote community growth, improve self-discipline, and promote physical and mental health, and they will strengthen connections with society through contribution to the community, and reporting on activities throughout Japan.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the structural concept of the organizational climate in college sports clubs and to develop a measurement scale that ensures reliability and validity. We conducted two studies as follows: 【Study1】: Based on previous studies, we created a scale to measure the organizational climate of college sports clubs, and conducted an exploratory examination of the factor composition of organizational climate through surveys and analyses of university students who had experience of belonging to college sports clubs. (Survey 1). Then, based on the results of the analysis, we conducted another survey and analysis targeting students who had experience of belonging to college sports clubs, and examined the validity and reliability of the structural concept of the organizational climate of the college sports clubs (Survey 2). 【Study2】: After partially modifying the measurement scale based on the results of Study 1, the validity and reliability of the scale were examined again. In addition, in order to verify the predictive validity of the scale, we analyzed the relationship between the organizational climate of the college sports clubs and the organizational commitment of the members to the clubs to which they belong. Analytical data were collected from students who had experience of belonging to a college sports club, as in Study 1 (Survey 3). The main findings are summarized as follows: We clarified 6 factors: “Warm atmosphere”, “Social contribution awareness”, “Deviation from ethics and morals”, “Control by rules”, “Fairness of penalties”, and “Acceptance of change”, as comprising the organizational climate of college sports clubs. And, as a result of the statistical analysis, the scale was confirmed to have sufficient reliability and validity.

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The purpose of this study is to visualize the social impact of community contribution activities conducted by J-League clubs and to obtain suggestions for maximizing the visualized social impact. To achieve the objectives, this study visualized the social impact of the Kids Caravan implemented by the J-League club Zweigen Kanazawa in 2019 by calculating the value of SROI (Social Return on Investment). In calculating the value of SROI we followed the steps of 1) Identification of stakeholders, 2) Establishment of inputs and calculation of costs, 3) Establishment of outputs and outcomes, 4) Conversion of outcomes into monetary values, and 5) Calculation of SROI. In order to identify stakeholders, relevant materials on the Kids Caravan were reviewed and examined by the co-researchers. As a result of the review, the following groups were identified as stakeholders: those involved with the Kids Caravan participants (participating preschool children, parents, and caregivers), those involved with the J-League clubs that implement the Kids Caravan (school coaches and staff in charge of home towns), the companies that sponsor the Kids Caravan, and the Ishikawa Prefecture Soccer Association. The stakeholders were identified. An impact map was then created and SROI values were calculated based on Kids Caravan related materials, information posted on the website, and the results of interviews with stakeholders. As a result, the SROI value was calculated to be 5.60. This study suggests that the way in which stakeholders are involved may influence the social impact of community contribution activities conducted by J-League clubs.

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