Pickleball surges in Japan as officials push for 2032 Olympic berth

Originating in the United States, pickleball has experienced a rapid rise in Japan, with the number of players increasing more than sevenfold to an estimated 330,000. The Professional Pickleball Association Tour Asia staged its first Japanese event in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, in early July, featuring around 100 professional and over 300 amateur participants from the United States and Asia. The championship match attracted a sizable audience, including Princess Hisako, widow of Prince Takamado.

In April, two Japanese pickleball groups combined to form the Pickleball Japan Federation, which was admitted to the Japan Sport Association in June, aiming to unify rules and expand the sport in schools and local communities. Federation chair Rika Riordan emphasized the need for more courts to meet growing demand. Players like men's doubles champion Yuta Funemizu view the surge as an opportunity to showcase the game's appeal and support its bid for inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.