Guidelines for Mahjong Facilities Outside the Scope of the Entertainment Business Act Released

The National Federation of Mahjong Business Associations and the Japan Mahjong Sports Promotion Organization will release the "Guidelines for Mahjong Facilities Outside the Scope of the Entertainment Business Act" on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, to appropriately promote mahjong as a place for learning and education.

These guidelines have been compiled by the industry, following repeated consultations with the National Police Agency, to clarify the distinction between mahjong businesses requiring permission under the Entertainment Business Act and mahjong facilities intended for learning and education.

Furthermore, these guidelines were announced on June 19, 2026, at a meeting of the "LDP Diet Members' League for Promoting Healthy and Safe Mahjong as a Mind Sport," with the National Police Agency also in attendance.

This represents a significant step for the industry in expanding mahjong not just as a mere game, but as something that contributes to the development of young people's thinking skills and as a mind sport.

Scenes from the Sports Mahjong Diet Members' League held on June 19

Background of Guideline Formulation

Until now, individuals under 18 years of age were not permitted to enter mahjong parlors licensed under the Entertainment Business Act.

In recent years, however, places aimed at "learning" mahjong, not just "playing" it, have been spreading across the country, including mahjong classes for children, competitive mahjong learning facilities, and beginner mahjong courses.

However, for facilities using mahjong tables, there has been no clear standard as to whether they fall under mahjong operations regulated by the Entertainment Business Act or can be categorized as facilities for learning and education.

In light of these issues, these guidelines present a framework whereby facilities that install mahjong tables and teach mahjong can be categorized as learning facilities, distinct from mahjong operations under the Entertainment Business Act, provided they meet certain requirements.

Mahjong tournaments for children are spreading nationwide.

Main Points of the Guidelines

The guidelines outline the following key requirements for facilities to be categorized as mahjong learning facilities not requiring permission under the Entertainment Business Act:

1. Purpose Limited to Learning and Education

The facility's purpose must be strictly limited to mahjong learning, education, and instruction, clearly distinguishing it from a place for playing games.

2. Clear Distinction from Free Play and Table Rental Services

Unlike venues where an unspecified number of people play mahjong freely or simple table rental services, it is required that the purpose of use and participation content be appropriately managed, such as through membership or course-based systems.

3. Proper Operation by Instructors and Administrators

To function as a learning facility, it is required to have instructors and administrators who provide instruction on rules and manners, manage participants, and ensure safety.

4. Establishment of Youth Protection and Management Systems

When individuals under 18 years of age participate, necessary measures must be taken from the perspective of youth protection, including obtaining parental consent, ensuring safety management, and considering participation times.

Guidelines for Mahjong Facilities Outside the Scope of the Entertainment Business Act | Japan Mahjong Sports Promotion Organization HP

Establishment of the Japan Mahjong Sports Promotion Organization

In conjunction with the release of these guidelines, the Japan Mahjong Sports Promotion Organization has been established as an entity responsible for the healthy promotion of mahjong as a sports culture and the proper management and operation of learning facilities.

Through facility certification based on the guidelines, instructor training, consultation on facility operations, audits, complaint handling, and guidance for improvement, the organization will support the sound operation of mahjong learning facilities.

Furthermore, the organization will not only focus on facility management but also work to promote mahjong as an intellectual sport open to society by supporting youth mahjong competitions and promoting competitive culture.

We believe that creating an environment where young people can learn mahjong with peace of mind and engage in it as a competition is a crucial issue for the future of mahjong culture.

Future Developments

The National Federation of Mahjong Business Associations and the Japan Mahjong Sports Promotion Organization will proceed to disseminate these guidelines to mahjong classrooms, mahjong learning facilities, educational stakeholders, and parents nationwide.

We will also work with the entire industry to promote healthy activities to ensure that both licensed establishments under the Entertainment Business Act and mahjong facilities outside its scope can develop together, establishing mahjong not only as entertainment but also as a mind sport, a learning activity, and a competitive culture within society.

Organization Overview

Organization Name: Japan Mahjong Sports Promotion Organization

Representative: Tsuneyuki Takahashi (Representative Director)

Location: 1-8-8 Kanda Izumi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Official Website: https://mahjong-sports.org/

Business Activities: Certification and auditing of mahjong learning facilities, instructor training, management and operation of guidelines, support for youth mahjong competitions, promotion of competitive culture, etc.

Contact Information for Inquiries

Japan Mahjong Sports Promotion Organization

Email: japanmjsports@gmail.com

Phone: 03-5829-6342

Official Website: https://mahjong-sports.org/