{"id":117,"date":"2026-02-01T22:51:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T13:51:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/?p=117"},"modified":"2026-09-28T18:02:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T09:02:12","slug":"japan-pickleball-outlook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/basic-knowledge\/japan-pickleball-outlook\/","title":{"rendered":"Analyzing the Pickleball Scene in Japan | A Thorough Look at Its Spread and Future Outlook"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"article-summary\">\n<p><strong>\u3053\u306e\u8a18\u4e8b\u306e\u8981\u70b9<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pickleball, which enjoys explosive popularity in the US, is now quietly but surely spreading in Japan too.<\/li>\n<li>\u30c6\u30cb\u30b9\u30fb\u30d0\u30c9\u30df\u30f3\u30c8\u30f3\u30fb\u5353\u7403\u306e\u8981\u7d20\u3092\u878d\u5408\u3057\u305f\u65b0\u611f\u899a\u306e\u30e9\u30b1\u30c3\u30c8\u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u3067\u30011965\u5e74\u306b\u30a2\u30e1\u30ea\u30ab\u30fb\u30ef\u30b7\u30f3\u30c8\u30f3\u5dde\u3067\u8a95\u751f\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/li>\n<li>\u904b\u52d5\u91cf\u3092\u8abf\u6574\u3057\u3084\u3059\u3044\u4e00\u65b9\u3001\u6025\u505c\u6b62\u3084\u65b9\u5411\u8ee2\u63db\u3067\u306f\u8ee2\u5012\u3084\u95a2\u7bc0\u3078\u306e\u8ca0\u62c5\u304c\u751f\u3058\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img alt=\"\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u4e8b\u60c5\u3092\u5206\u6790\uff5c\u666e\u53ca\u72b6\u6cc1\u3068\u4eca\u5f8c\u306e\u5c55\u671b\u3092\u5fb9\u5e95\u89e3\u8aac\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><noscript><img alt=\"\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u4e8b\u60c5\u3092\u5206\u6790\uff5c\u666e\u53ca\u72b6\u6cc1\u3068\u4eca\u5f8c\u306e\u5c55\u671b\u3092\u5fb9\u5e95\u89e3\u8aac\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/thumbnail-462b9905-6138-43f8-b52d-7ac4c173a464-1.jpg\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/japan-pickleball-outlook-summary.webp\" alt=\"\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u4f53\u80b2\u9928\u3067\u4e16\u4ee3\u3092\u8d85\u3048\u3066\u697d\u3057\u3080\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u53c2\u52a0\u8005\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Pickleball Is Drawing Attention in Japan<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pickleball, which enjoys explosive popularity in the US, is now quietly but surely spreading in Japan too.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A new-sensation racket sport fusing elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, it was born in 1965 in Washington State, USA. Its greatest appeal is that anyone can casually enjoy it regardless of age or fitness. The court is about a quarter of a tennis court, and the ball is a lightweight, perforated plastic one. With little intense movement, even beginners can enjoy rallies right away.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u904b\u52d5\u91cf\u3092\u8abf\u6574\u3057\u3084\u3059\u3044\u4e00\u65b9\u3001\u6025\u505c\u6b62\u3084\u65b9\u5411\u8ee2\u63db\u3067\u306f\u8ee2\u5012\u3084\u95a2\u7bc0\u3078\u306e\u8ca0\u62c5\u304c\u751f\u3058\u307e\u3059\u3002\u5e74\u9f62\u3084\u7d4c\u9a13\u3060\u3051\u3067\u5b89\u5168\u3068\u6c7a\u3081\u3064\u3051\u305a\u3001\u4f53\u8abf\u306b\u5408\u308f\u305b\u305f\u6e96\u5099\u3068\u4f11\u61a9\u304c\u5fc5\u8981\u3067\u3059\u3002\u30ea\u30cf\u30d3\u30ea\u76ee\u7684\u3067\u884c\u3046\u5834\u5408\u306f\u533b\u7642\u5c02\u9580\u8077\u3078\u76f8\u8ac7\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002\u3053\u306e\u8a18\u4e8b\u3067\u306f\u3001\u65e5\u672c\u56fd\u5185\u306e\u7af6\u6280\u4eba\u53e3\u3084\u5730\u57df\u5225\u306e\u666e\u53ca\u72b6\u6cc1\u3001\u7d71\u62ec\u56e3\u4f53\u306e\u52d5\u304d\u3001\u5c02\u7528\u65bd\u8a2d\u306e\u62e1\u5927\u3001\u305d\u3057\u3066\u4eca\u5f8c\u306e\u5c55\u671b\u307e\u3067\u3092\u30012026\u5e749\u670826\u65e5\u6642\u70b9\u306e\u60c5\u5831\u3067\u6574\u7406\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img alt=\"\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u30b3\u30fc\u30c8\u3067\u306e\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u98a8\u666f\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><noscript><img alt=\"\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u30b3\u30fc\u30c8\u3067\u306e\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u98a8\u666f\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/content-462b9905-6138-43f8-b52d-7ac4c173a464-1.jpg\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u7af6\u6280\u4eba\u53e3\u306f\u300c\u5b9a\u7fa9\u300d\u3068\u300c\u8abf\u67fb\u4e3b\u4f53\u300d\u3092\u78ba\u8a8d\u3059\u308b<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u56fd\u5185\u306e\u53c2\u52a0\u8005\u6570\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u306f\u6c11\u9593\u63a8\u8a08\u304c\u8907\u6570\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304c\u3001\u5168\u56fd\u3092\u540c\u3058\u65b9\u6cd5\u3067\u7d99\u7d9a\u96c6\u8a08\u3057\u305f\u516c\u7684\u7d71\u8a08\u306f\u78ba\u8a8d\u3067\u304d\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u300c\u4e00\u5ea6\u4f53\u9a13\u3057\u305f\u4eba\u300d\u300c\u5b9a\u671f\u7684\u306b\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u3059\u308b\u4eba\u300d\u300c\u767b\u9332\u9078\u624b\u300d\u3067\u306f\u6570\u5b57\u304c\u5909\u308f\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u666e\u53ca\u72b6\u6cc1\u3092\u898b\u308b\u3068\u304d\u306f\u3001\u5358\u4e00\u306e\u63a8\u8a08\u5024\u3067\u306f\u306a\u304f\u3001Pickleball Japan\u304c\u516c\u8868\u3059\u308b\u5927\u4f1a\u3001\u767b\u9332\u5236\u5ea6\u3001\u65bd\u8a2d\u30fb\u5730\u57df\u6d3b\u52d5\u306e\u66f4\u65b0\u3092\u5408\u308f\u305b\u3066\u78ba\u8a8d\u3059\u308b\u306e\u304c\u5b89\u5168\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u5730\u57df\u5225\u306e\u72b6\u6cc1\u3092\u78ba\u8a8d\u3059\u308b\u65b9\u6cd5<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u6c11\u9593\u30b5\u30a4\u30c8\u306e\u30a2\u30af\u30bb\u30b9\u6bd4\u306f\u3001\u305d\u306e\u30b5\u30a4\u30c8\u306e\u8aad\u8005\u5206\u5e03\u3067\u3042\u308a\u3001\u5730\u57df\u5225\u306e\u7af6\u6280\u4eba\u53e3\u3092\u793a\u3059\u3082\u306e\u3067\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u5730\u57df\u306e\u666e\u53ca\u72b6\u6cc1\u306f\u3001Pickleball Japan\u306e\u5927\u4f1a\u4e00\u89a7\u3001\u65bd\u8a2d\u306e\u516c\u5f0f\u6848\u5185\u3001\u81ea\u6cbb\u4f53\u3084\u5730\u57df\u56e3\u4f53\u306e\u6d3b\u52d5\u60c5\u5831\u3092\u7d44\u307f\u5408\u308f\u305b\u3066\u78ba\u8a8d\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Japan Pickleball Association and the moves of governing bodies<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several governing bodies support the sport's spread across Japan, and major organizational shifts are underway.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The role of the Japan Pickleball Association (JPA)<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Founded in 2015, the Japan Pickleball Association (JPA) is the central organization responsible for standardizing and promoting the sport.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It has established a player registration system, setting up a framework that governs eligibility for sanctioned tournaments and inclusion in the Japan rankings. It accepts both individual and group registrations and can plan sanctioned courts and tournaments. It holds clinics and trial events nationwide, working to create an environment where even beginners can take part easily. For more on the organization, see the<a href=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/basic-knowledge\/japan-pickleball-association-jpa\/\">JPA overview<\/a>as well.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Moves toward a unified body<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another major organization is the Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF), a general incorporated foundation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PJF has more than 2,700 registered members and has worked with 52 partner organizations to host international events and promote the sport. After a basic agreement on the merger announced in January 2026, the formal merger of JPA and PJF was announced on April 10, 2026, and the two were unified as a new organization, Pickleball Japan (PJ), effective on the 14th of the same month. With the several governing bodies in Japan brought into one, it has become easier to unify rules, standardize event operations and work with international partners. The unification of international governing bodies is also a point of discussion around Olympic inclusion, so the domestic merger fits that current.<\/p>\n<p class=\"citation wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Source<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/prtimes.jp\/main\/html\/rd\/p\/000000014.000143828.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">PR TIMES, \"JPA and PJF Announce Basic Agreement Toward Merger\"<\/a>(January 2026), the formal merger announcement by the two organizations (April 2026) and other sources<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img alt=\"\u6771\u4eac\u306e\u30a4\u30f3\u30c9\u30a2\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u65bd\u8a2d\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><noscript><img alt=\"\u6771\u4eac\u306e\u30a4\u30f3\u30c9\u30a2\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u65bd\u8a2d\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/content-462b9905-6138-43f8-b52d-7ac4c173a464-2.jpg\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/japan-pickleball-outlook-detail-1.webp\" alt=\"\u65e2\u5b58\u4f53\u80b2\u9928\u306b\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u306e\u30b3\u30fc\u30c8\u7dda\u3092\u6574\u5099\u3059\u308b\u30b9\u30bf\u30c3\u30d5\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expansion of dedicated facilities and what comes next<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moves to resolve the shortage of facilities\u2014the bottleneck for the sport's spread\u2014are also gaining real momentum.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Picklr, the largest U.S. operator, enters Japan<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Major international companies are also eyeing the Japanese market.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u30a2\u30e1\u30ea\u30ab\u3067\u591a\u6570\u306e\u65bd\u8a2d\u3092\u904b\u55b6\u3057\u3001\u7c73\u56fd\u3092\u4e2d\u5fc3\u306b\u65bd\u8a2d\u5c55\u958b\u3092\u9032\u3081\u308b\u300cThe Picklr\u300d\u304c\u3001\u65e5\u672c\u9032\u51fa\u3092\u767a\u8868\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\u56fd\u5185\u306e\u30db\u30fc\u30eb\u30c7\u30a3\u30f3\u30b0\u30b9\u4f1a\u793e\u304c\u72ec\u5360\u7684\u306a\u30de\u30b9\u30bf\u30fc\u30d5\u30e9\u30f3\u30c1\u30e3\u30a4\u30ba\u30e9\u30a4\u30bb\u30f3\u30b9\u3092\u53d6\u5f97\u3057\u3001\u4eca\u5f8c5\u5e74\u9593\u3067\u5168\u56fd20\u30ab\u6240\u306e\u5c4b\u5185\u65bd\u8a2d\u3092\u5c55\u958b\u3059\u308b\u8a08\u753b\u3067\u3059\u3002\u6771\u4eac\u9996\u90fd\u570f\u3001\u5317\u6d77\u9053\u3001\u5bae\u57ce\u3001\u4e2d\u4eac\u570f\u3001\u962a\u795e\u570f\u3001\u5e83\u5cf6\u3001\u798f\u5ca1\u3001\u6c96\u7e04\u3001\u8efd\u4e95\u6ca2\u3001\u767d\u99ac\u306a\u3069\u3092\u30bf\u30fc\u30b2\u30c3\u30c8\u306b\u3001\u5c02\u7528\u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u65bd\u8a2d\u30fb\u5546\u696d\u65bd\u8a2d\u30fb\u30aa\u30d5\u30a3\u30b9\u30d3\u30eb\u306a\u3069\u3001\u5730\u57df\u306e\u30cb\u30fc\u30ba\u306b\u5408\u308f\u305b\u305f\u7acb\u5730\u3092\u691c\u8a0e\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conversion of tennis facilities is also underway<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Making effective use of existing facilities is also key to expanding capacity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because about four pickleball courts fit into the space of a single tennis court, the sport can be rolled out efficiently even in urban areas. Courts are being built by making use of vacant spaces, parking lots, rooftops, and existing sports facilities. The aforementioned VIP Indoor Pickleball Club offers both a school format and a rental court format, and has succeeded in building a viable revenue model.<\/p>\n<p class=\"citation wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Source<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/prtimes.jp\/main\/html\/rd\/p\/000000003.000160669.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Nihon Pickleball Holdings Inc., \"The Picklr Enters Japan\"<\/a>(2025)<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Differences from the U.S. and Japan's own path<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Japan, where the cultural context differs, the sport may develop along a different path than in the U.S.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the U.S., SFIA's tally counted about 24.3 million participants in 2025, while a separate survey (APP) that includes anyone who played even once a year estimated about 48.3 million players. In 2023 it was hailed as the \"fastest-growing sport,\" and it has taken hold as a key social activity in retirement communities, especially among those aged 50 and older. Several pro tours have emerged, and prize money and investment capital are flowing in.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u65e5\u672c\u3067\u306f\u3001\u904b\u52d5\u5f37\u5ea6\u3092\u53c2\u52a0\u8005\u306b\u5408\u308f\u305b\u3084\u3059\u3044\u70b9\u3084\u4ea4\u6d41\u306e\u304d\u3063\u304b\u3051\u306b\u306a\u308b\u70b9\u304c\u7d39\u4ecb\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002\u305f\u3060\u3057\u3001\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u56fa\u6709\u306e\u5065\u5eb7\u5bff\u547d\u5ef6\u4f38\u3001\u50b7\u5bb3\u30ea\u30b9\u30af\u306e\u4f4e\u3055\u3001\u4f01\u696d\u52b9\u679c\u3092\u793a\u3059\u56fd\u5185\u516c\u7684\u7d71\u8a08\u306f\u78ba\u8a8d\u3067\u304d\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u500b\u4eba\u5dee\u3068\u5b9f\u65bd\u6761\u4ef6\u3092\u8e0f\u307e\u3048\u3066\u8a55\u4fa1\u3059\u308b\u5fc5\u8981\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002<a href=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/coart\/pickleball-dink-guide\/\">dink<\/a>and<a href=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/basic-knowledge\/third-shot-drop-complete-guide\/\">The third-shot drop<\/a>\u306f\u3001\u56fd\u7c4d\u306b\u304b\u304b\u308f\u3089\u305a\u30b3\u30f3\u30c8\u30ed\u30fc\u30eb\u3092\u91cd\u8996\u3059\u308b\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30e4\u30fc\u304c\u5b66\u3076\u57fa\u672c\u6226\u8853\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img alt=\"\u65e5\u672c\u4eba\u30d7\u30ec\u30a4\u30e4\u30fc\u306e\u6226\u7565\u7684\u306a\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"\/><noscript><img alt=\"\u65e5\u672c\u4eba\u30d7\u30ec\u30a4\u30e4\u30fc\u306e\u6226\u7565\u7684\u306a\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/content-462b9905-6138-43f8-b52d-7ac4c173a464-4.jpg\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Growth outlook and challenges ahead<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u5e02\u5834\u4e88\u6e2c\u306f\u524d\u63d0\u3092\u78ba\u8a8d\u3059\u308b<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u6c11\u9593\u306e\u5e02\u5834\u4e88\u6e2c\u306f\u3001\u5bfe\u8c61\u5730\u57df\u3001\u7528\u54c1\u30fb\u65bd\u8a2d\u306e\u7bc4\u56f2\u3001\u70ba\u66ff\u306a\u3069\u3067\u7d50\u679c\u304c\u5909\u308f\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002\u5c06\u6765\u306e\u78ba\u5b9a\u5024\u3068\u3057\u3066\u6271\u308f\u305a\u3001\u56fd\u5185\u3067\u306f\u516c\u5f0f\u5927\u4f1a\u3001\u767b\u9332\u5236\u5ea6\u3001\u65bd\u8a2d\u6574\u5099\u306a\u3069\u5b9f\u969b\u306b\u78ba\u8a8d\u3067\u304d\u308b\u6307\u6a19\u3092\u8ffd\u3046\u306e\u304c\u9069\u5207\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The challenge of a shortage of dedicated courts<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The biggest bottleneck for the sport's spread is the shortage of facilities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At present, activity is centered on public gymnasiums, and the development of dedicated courts is an urgent task. It is drawing attention as a new business opportunity for fitness clubs, tennis clubs and schools, and leisure and resort facilities. Cooperation with local governments is also key: the sport holds the potential to create a new lifestyle\u2014serving as a hub that fosters community \"places to belong,\" exercise habits, and cross-generational exchange, as well as a venue for drawing crowds and socializing at commercial complexes and office buildings.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The future pickleball can bring to Japan<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This sport holds value that goes beyond mere recreation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u4e16\u4ee3\u3092\u307e\u305f\u3044\u3060\u4ea4\u6d41\u3084\u5730\u57df\u6d3b\u52d5\u306e\u9078\u629e\u80a2\u306b\u306f\u306a\u308a\u5f97\u307e\u3059\u304c\u3001\u5065\u5eb7\u5bff\u547d\u3084\u30b3\u30df\u30e5\u30cb\u30c6\u30a3\u6d3b\u6027\u5316\u3078\u306e\u52b9\u679c\u3092\u7af6\u6280\u3060\u3051\u306b\u5e30\u5c5e\u3055\u305b\u308b\u3053\u3068\u306f\u3067\u304d\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u5e74\u9f62\u3084\u7d4c\u9a13\u306e\u7570\u306a\u308b\u4eba\u304c\u540c\u3058\u5834\u306b\u53c2\u52a0\u3067\u304d\u308b\u5834\u5408\u304c\u3042\u308a\u3001\u4ea4\u6d41\u306e\u304d\u3063\u304b\u3051\u306b\u306f\u306a\u308a\u5f97\u307e\u3059\u3002\u52b9\u679c\u306f\u53c2\u52a0\u8005\u3001\u904b\u55b6\u3001\u5b89\u5168\u7ba1\u7406\u306a\u3069\u306e\u6761\u4ef6\u3068\u5408\u308f\u305b\u3066\u8a55\u4fa1\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the coming years, as the consolidation of organizations and the expansion of dedicated facilities progress, Japan's pickleball scene is likely to change significantly. More dedicated facilities, the development of pro players, and the hosting of international tournaments. And above all, more people are expected to discover the fun of this sport and make it part of their daily lives.<\/p>\n<div class=\"swell-block-balloon\" data-balloon-align=\"left\">\n<div class=\"c-balloon\">\n<div class=\"c-balloon__icon\">\n<figure class=\"c-balloon__iconImg\"><img alt=\"\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u30bf\u30a4\u30e0\u30b9\u7de8\u96c6\u90e8\" class=\"lazyload\" data-aspectratio=\"80\/80\" data-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"80\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" width=\"80\"\/><noscript><img alt=\"\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u30bf\u30a4\u30e0\u30b9\u7de8\u96c6\u90e8\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pickle-editor-icon.png\" width=\"80\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure><figcaption class=\"c-balloon__iconName\">Editor's Note<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-balloon__body\">\n<div class=\"c-balloon__text\">\n<p>Japan's playing population is growing at a pace of several times over in a single year, but the biggest keys right now are the \"number of dedicated courts\" and the \"unification of organizations.\" In that sense, the 2026 merger agreement between the JPA and PJF is a major step forward. Following these two developments, rather than the player-count figures, reveals just how firmly pickleball will take root in Japan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/japan-pickleball-outlook-detail-2.webp\" alt=\"\u5c4b\u5185\u65bd\u8a2d\u306e\u30ec\u30f3\u30bf\u30eb\u30d1\u30c9\u30eb\u524d\u3067\u7df4\u7fd2\u3092\u5f85\u3064\u521d\u5fc3\u8005\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>\n<div class=\"swell-block-faq\" data-a=\"col-text\" data-q=\"col-text\">\n<div class=\"swell-block-faq__item\">\n<h3 class=\"faq_q\">How large is Japan's pickleball playing population?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"faq_a\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u5168\u56fd\u3092\u540c\u3058\u5b9a\u7fa9\u3067\u7d99\u7d9a\u96c6\u8a08\u3057\u305f\u516c\u7684\u306a\u7af6\u6280\u4eba\u53e3\u7d71\u8a08\u306f\u78ba\u8a8d\u3067\u304d\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u6c11\u9593\u63a8\u8a08\u3092\u898b\u308b\u5834\u5408\u306f\u3001\u8abf\u67fb\u5bfe\u8c61\u3068\u300c\u7af6\u6280\u4eba\u53e3\u300d\u306e\u5b9a\u7fa9\u3092\u78ba\u8a8d\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swell-block-faq__item\">\n<h3 class=\"faq_q\">Which regions are pickleball most active in within Japan?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"faq_a\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u30b5\u30a4\u30c8\u30a2\u30af\u30bb\u30b9\u6bd4\u306f\u7af6\u6280\u4eba\u53e3\u6bd4\u3067\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u5730\u57df\u306e\u72b6\u6cc1\u306f\u3001Pickleball Japan\u306e\u5927\u4f1a\u4e00\u89a7\u3084\u65bd\u8a2d\u30fb\u30b5\u30fc\u30af\u30eb\u306e\u516c\u5f0f\u6848\u5185\u3067\u78ba\u8a8d\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swell-block-faq__item\">\n<h3 class=\"faq_q\">What is the situation with pickleball's governing bodies in Japan?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"faq_a\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Japan Pickleball Association (JPA), founded in 2015, and the Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF), a general incorporated foundation, announced a basic agreement to merge in January 2026, announced the formal merger on April 10 of the same year, and were unified as a new organization, Pickleball Japan (PJ), effective April 14. It is seen as an important step toward unifying rules, standardizing event operations and advancing international cooperation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swell-block-faq__item\">\n<h3 class=\"faq_q\">Are dedicated facilities increasing in Japan too?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"faq_a\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. In April 2025, the VIP Indoor Pickleball Club opened in Koto Ward, and the major U.S. operator The Picklr also announced its entry into Japan, planning to develop 20 indoor facilities nationwide over the next five years. Because about four courts can be set up in the space of one tennis court, the conversion of existing facilities is also progressing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary: Japan's rapidly growing pickleball scene<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Japan's pickleball is still in its infancy, yet it is growing at an astonishing pace.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u5168\u56fd\u306e\u7af6\u6280\u4eba\u53e3\u3092\u540c\u3058\u5b9a\u7fa9\u3067\u96c6\u8a08\u3057\u305f\u516c\u7684\u7d71\u8a08\u306f\u78ba\u8a8d\u3067\u304d\u306a\u3044\u305f\u3081\u3001\u6c11\u9593\u63a8\u8a08\u3092\u78ba\u5b9a\u5024\u3068\u3057\u3066\u6271\u3046\u306e\u306f\u907f\u3051\u307e\u3059\u3002\u9996\u90fd\u570f\u304c\u727d\u5f15\u3057\u3064\u3064\u8fd1\u757f\u30fb\u6771\u6d77\u3078\u3068\u5e83\u304c\u308a\u3001JPA\u3068PJF\u306e\u7d71\u5408\u5408\u610f\u3084\u300cThe Picklr\u300d\u306e\u9032\u51fa\u306a\u3069\u3001\u56e3\u4f53\u30fb\u65bd\u8a2d\u306e\u4e21\u9762\u3067\u57fa\u76e4\u3065\u304f\u308a\u304c\u9032\u3093\u3067\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002\u5c02\u7528\u30b3\u30fc\u30c8\u4e0d\u8db3\u3068\u3044\u3046\u8ab2\u984c\u306f\u6b8b\u308b\u3082\u306e\u306e\u3001\u9ad8\u9f62\u5316\u793e\u4f1a\u3068\u306e\u76f8\u6027\u306e\u3088\u3055\u3084\u4f01\u696d\u30fb\u5730\u57df\u3067\u306e\u6d3b\u7528\u304c\u3001\u3055\u3089\u306a\u308b\u5e83\u304c\u308a\u3092\u5f8c\u62bc\u3057\u3059\u308b\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pickleball can be enjoyed across generations and connects to health and social exchange. If you're intrigued, start by finding a nearby trial session and try holding a paddle once. Its appeal is sure to surprise you.<\/p>\n<h2>\u78ba\u8a8d\u3057\u305f\u4e00\u6b21\u60c5\u5831<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pickleball-japan.org\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Pickleball Japan\u516c\u5f0f<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pickleball-japan.org\/post\/___pj\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Pickleball Japan\u30fbJPA\/PJF\u6b63\u5f0f\u7d71\u5408<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pickleball-japan.org\/eventlist\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Pickleball Japan\u30fb\u5927\u4f1a\u4e00\u89a7<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Articles Worth Reading<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/trend\/pickleball-global-boom\/\">Pickleball's popularity spreading worldwide | The background of the boom and its growth drivers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/trend\/pickleball-future-outlook\/\">How will the pickleball market grow going forward? Analyzing its potential and market forecasts<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/trend\/pickleball-market-growth\/\">The rapidly growing pickleball market | Why it became a growth sport, explained<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/basic-knowledge\/japan-pickleball-association-jpa\/\">What Is the Japan Pickleball Association (JPA)? Overview, Activities and How to Join<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/trend\/pickleball-olympic-future\/\">Will Pickleball Become an Olympic Sport? The Possibility and Future Trends Explained<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The competitive population is estimated to surge to about 330,000 in 2026, roughly seven times the previous year. We analyze Japan's pickleball scene and its outlook\u2014regional adoption, the JPA\u2013PJF merger agreement, The Picklr's entry into Japan, market size, and challenges.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6233,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ssp_meta_description":"\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u4e8b\u60c5\u3092\u5206\u6790\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\u7af6\u6280\u4eba\u53e3\u306f2026\u5e74\u306b\u63a8\u8a08\u7d0433\u4e07\u4eba\u3078\u3068\u524d\u5e74\u6bd4\u7d047\u500d\u306b\u6025\u5897\u3002\u5730\u57df\u5225\u306e\u666e\u53ca\u72b6\u6cc1\u3001JPA\u3068PJF\u306e\u7d71\u5408\u5408\u610f\u3001The Picklr\u306e\u65e5\u672c\u9032\u51fa\u3001\u5e02\u5834\u898f\u6a21\u3084\u8ab2\u984c\u307e\u3067\u3001\u6700\u65b0\u306e\u52d5\u5411\u3068\u4eca\u5f8c\u306e\u5c55\u671b\u30922026\u5e74\u306e\u60c5\u5831\u3067\u5fb9\u5e95\u89e3\u8aac\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002","swell_btn_cv_data":"","ssp_meta_title":"","pt_pr_sponsor":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[34,30,104,1,53],"tags":[124,57,35,15,113,6,64,61,66,37],"region":[1973],"class_list":["post-117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-coart","category-trend","category-health-fitness","category-basic-knowledge","category-overseas","tag-year-2025","tag-us","tag-coart","tag-trend","tag-pro-player","tag-ball","tag-beginner","tag-injury","tag-information","tag-japan","region-united-states"],"acf":{"summary":"\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u306f\u3001\u7af6\u6280\u4eba\u53e3\u304c2025\u5e74\u306e\u7d044.5\u4e07\u4eba\u304b\u30892026\u5e74\u306b\u306f\u63a8\u8a08\u7d0433\u4e07\u4eba\u3078\u3068\u6025\u5897\u3057\u3001\u6f5c\u5728\u5c64\u306f\u7d041,189\u4e07\u4eba\u3068\u63a8\u8a08\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002\u9996\u90fd\u570f\u304c\u727d\u5f15\u3057\u3064\u3064\u8fd1\u757f\u30fb\u6771\u6d77\u3078\u5e83\u304c\u308a\u30012026\u5e741\u6708\u306b\u306fJPA\u3068PJF\u304c\u7d71\u5408\u306b\u5411\u3051\u305f\u57fa\u672c\u5408\u610f\u3092\u767a\u8868\u3002\u7c73\u56fd\u5927\u624b\u300cThe Picklr\u300d\u306e\u65e5\u672c\u9032\u51fa\u3082\u9032\u3093\u3067\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002\u5730\u57df\u5225\u306e\u666e\u53ca\u72b6\u6cc1\u3001\u7d71\u62ec\u56e3\u4f53\u306e\u52d5\u304d\u3001\u65bd\u8a2d\u62e1\u5927\u3001\u5e02\u5834\u898f\u6a21\u3084\u8ab2\u984c\u307e\u3067\u3001\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u6700\u65b0\u4e8b\u60c5\u3068\u4eca\u5f8c\u306e\u5c55\u671b\u3092\u307e\u3068\u3081\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6241,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117\/revisions\/6241"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117"},{"taxonomy":"region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region?post=117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}