Play Academy with Naomi Osaka spoke with participants from two Tokyo-based programs Monkey Magic and SPOCOM , asking why they play sports. It’s a simple question, but their answers are powerful and more reason to understand the importance of keeping girls in the game.
In Japan, girls’ sport participation is 20% less than boys. They drop out of sport at twice the rate than boys.
Reasons include societal stereotypes, gender discrimination, lack of opportunities, fewer coaches and role models, just to name a few.
But when girls are active, their sense of self, feeling of competence and confidence increase. They develop positive coping skills and can face challenges and set their own goals.
By supporting programs such as Monkey Magic and SPOCOM, Play Academy is changing the game for girls in Japan.