Globally, only 1 in 5 kids gets the physical activity they need – and girls are moving the least due to the unique cultural barriers they face, including traditional gender norms and expectations. Japan is no exception, as girls across the country are dropping out of sports at an alarming rate by their teenage years and miss out on the many benefits sports can offer.
In this video, girls across Tokyo and Osaka provided insights on the challenges they face in sports, and expressed a strong desire to continue playing sports.
Nike and Laureus Sport for Good are taking action to drive change in Japan. Through program initiatives like Play Academy with Naomi Osaka, which has supported 10 grassroot organizations in Japan, and hosting the COACH THE DREAM summit in Tokyo in October 2024, they have partnered so that girls in Japan can experience the full true power of sport, emotionally, socially, physically and mentally.