Japan Press Weekly

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2020 June 3 - 9 [POLITICS]

Government compiles support measures covering a wide range of sports clubs

It has come to light that the 2020 second supplementary draft budget for coronavirus countermeasures includes a support program which covers a wide range of sports clubs, including community sports clubs, as well as freelance instructors.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports on May 27 announced a new program with a budget of 56 billion yen to help cultural and sports groups resume or continue their activities.

This program will pave the way for voluntary, non-profit sports clubs to receive government support currently not available to them.

Sports organizations and clubs across the country have had a tough time amid the coronavirus crisis, especially during the state of emergency. Many of them have yet to resume their operations although the state of emergency was already lifted across the nation.

A survey of sports clubs conducted by the Japan Sports Club Association in April shows that 86% of the respondents had to suspend their activities partially or entirely. Another survey by the association in May found that 35% of the respondents suffered a loss of one to five million yen because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under this situation, however, due to a lack of legal option, most sports organizations and clubs are excluded from a government subsidy program for sustaining businesses which only covers businesses and organizations with legal recognition.

The government’s new support program is good news for sports clubs without legal recognition. However, the government allocates only 56 billion yen to this program which will cover not only sports groups but also arts and culture organizations. The government should increase the budget to support these groups.

Past related article:
> Shii calls on gov't to change its stance on arts and culture [May 22, 2020]