A historic turning point for Japan’s pickleball world—the new organization PJ is launched through the JPA × PJF merger
On April 14, 2026, a major turning point came for Japan’s pickleball world. The Japan Pickleball Association (JPA) and the Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF) officially merged, giving birth to the new governing body“Pickleball Japan Federation” (commonly known as Pickleball Japan / PJ).The agreement was signed on March 13, 2026, announced on April 10, and took effect on April 14. With this, Japan’s pickleball competitive structure—which had long had two coexisting organizations—is unified.
The background to the merger and the terms of the agreement
In Japan, multiple organizations had each run tournaments and player registration independently. Players and enthusiasts had voiced concerns such as “the points of contact are split and confusing” and “the criteria for dispatch to international tournaments are opaque.” The two organizations advanced talks with the aim of “the sustainable growth of pickleball and the establishment of a unified competitive structure,” and agreed to merge on equal footing.
The new organization, PJ, integrates the functions of the former JPA and PJF and, asthe only governing body in Japan,will single-handedly take charge of player registration, tournament sanctioning, and serving as the point of contact with the international federation. This coincides with the timing ofThe Picklr’s arrival in Japanandand a string of court openings at hotels and commercial facilities,and serves as a tailwind for the spread of pickleball in Japan.
Details of the new structure
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | Pickleball Japan Federation |
| Common name | Pickleball Japan (PJ) |
| President | Rika Riordan |
| Vice President | Shigeru Nishigami |
| Secretary-General | Takeshi Koizumi |
| Directors | Kento Sasaki, Koki Sugimoto, Yuki Tanaka, Chiharu Hachiya Lorenzoni, Masahiro Marutani |
| Headquarters location | 4-1-15 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo |
| Branches | Tokyo (Asakusabashi) and Osaka (Fushimi-cho) |
| Agreement signing date | March 13, 2026 |
| Effective date | April 14, 2026 |
Reactions from stakeholders
In response to the merger announcement, many welcoming voices have been raised from Japan’s pickleball community.
- A representative of a Kanto pickleball club: “With registration consolidated into one, procedures become easier for both players and tournament organizers. This should also clarify the path to international tournaments.”
- An operator of a Kansai enthusiast community: “I’m glad a branch will be set up in Osaka too. I expect the spread in western Japan to advance more than ever.”
- A former Japanese national-team player: “With the organizations unified into one, the transparency of the ranking system and national-team selection should improve. For players, it’s a big step forward.”
Impact on Japanese players and enthusiasts
The actual impact this merger has on ordinary players is as follows.
- Unification of player registration: Going forward, a single registration with PJ will earn you eligibility to enter domestically sanctioned tournaments
- Development of the tournament system: A nationwide ranking system and a unified tournament calendar are expected to be built
- Dispatch to international tournaments: The selection criteria for Japanese national-team players are clarified, making participation in the Asian Games and the World Cup smoother
- Promotion of grassroots activity: A structure is put in place for PJ to provide unified support for regional promotion activities
In Japan,as seen in Yuta Funamizu’s deal with Diadem,the activity of pro players is also becoming more vigorous. The birth of a unified organization will further accelerate such moves.
Ripple effects on the industry—groundwork for Olympic adoption
Pickleball did not reach adoption at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but activity aimed at the 2032 Brisbane Games continues. Because the IOC places importance on a globally unified governing structure for each sport, the unification of organizations in a major country like Japan leads to improved credibility for the sport as a whole.
PJ has stated it will work on the following priorities going forward.
- Strengthening cooperation with the International Pickleball Federation
- Developing the domestic tournament system and expanding sanctioned tournaments
- Building a player-development system from juniors to seniors
- Grassroots promotion activities across the country
- Preparation and advocacy toward Olympic adoption
Practical information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official PJ website | pickleball-japan.org |
| Merger announcement page (English) | Official announcement |
| Headquarters address | 4-1-15 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo |
| Player registration | Details to be released in stages on the official website |
Summary—actions going forward
The launch of the new organization PJ through the JPA × PJF merger is one of the biggest turning points for Japan’s pickleball world. With the unification of player registration and the tournament system, the competitive environment will be put in order.
There are three things enthusiasts can do now.
- Bookmark the official PJ websiteand check the latest information on player registration and tournaments
- Share information with your club or circleand grasp PJ’s activity policy
- Take part in regional promotion activitiesand contribute to expanding the playing population from the grassroots level
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What happens to my existing JPA or PJF membership?
A. With the merger, guidance on the transition procedures for existing members will be provided in stages on PJ’s official website. New registration is also unified under PJ.
Q. Will results from tournaments sanctioned before the merger carry over to PJ?
A. A separate announcement is expected from PJ regarding the transition policy for tournament records and ranking points. Let’s wait for the official announcement.
Q. Can Japanese players living overseas also register with PJ?
A. PJ lists cooperation with the international federation as a priority and plans to handle the registration and national-team selection of overseas-based players as well. Please check the official website for details.
